RETURNED MEN

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 250, 23 October 1942, Page 6

RETURNED MEN

TREATMENT ON DISCHARGE. "If the treatment alleged exists it rnust be due to a misapprehension," saici the Minister for Defence, Mr Jones, replying to an urgent question by Mr Doidge (Opposition, Tauranga) on the treatment of men discharged from the fighting services. Ivlr Doidge asked whether the Minister was aware that a great deal of dismay and disappointment existed among soldiers returning from active service for the reasons that only perm.anently unfit men were classed as due for discharge, and that others were being turned adrift 011 leave without pay. It was the rule that only men were discharged who were found to be permanently unfit by a rr\edical board, said Mr Jones. Soldiers who did not come within this class were only granted leave without pay after their pension and other privileges had been determined. Men requiririg hospital treatment were retainea on full pay and allowances up to three months, this being followed by the usual 28 days' sick and privilegG leave. It was quite incorrect to suggest that the men were being turned adrift. Before they were placed on leave without pay every care was taken to ensure that their pension or Social Security benefits were settled. In cases of men suffering froin tuberculosis contracted before going into camp and where it had not been aggravated by military service, they v/ere entitled to be dealt with under the Social Security scheme. v