PENSIONS FOR EX-IMPERIAL SOLDIERS.

Shannon News, 13 July 1928, Page 3

PENSIONS FOR EX-IMPERIAL SOLDIERS.

ABOLITION OF TIME LIMIT.

The Secretary of the,Levin Eeturned Soldiers' Associatiojg:(Mr. H, G. McKay) has received | circular from the N.Z.. Association dealing with .the question of pensions for ( ex-Imperial soldiers in New Zealand. There Have been instianv.es where such , boldiers have had their claims rejected cwing. to the seven-year limit for applications for recognition of a disability as due to war service. The Dominion Council meeting has, repeatedly vrged the Imperial authorities, per medium of the, B.P-- Soldiers' League, to make, some .alteration in; the legislation with regard to this limit. The pressure, has- been maintained. 90 fir as headquarters is concerned, with the Empire Headquarters of the League, and a letter just received from, the Secretary of that 1 organisation shows that there is a chance of having'cases which have been debarred owing to the time limit reconsidered on their merits.. The letter says: Everything possible has been done at this end ;to Have tlu statutory time limits abolished. The 'Government, however, have refused to give Avay, but as a result of pressure The Minister of Pensions is empowered to consider, on their merits Applications submitted by officers and > ; raej| more than seven yea is fiom thoir discharge. You will be interested to know that in 140 of such cases pension has beet awarded by.the Minister under special -auction up-j/date. • My Committee would be r qrlad to .know whether tke machinery of the Ministry in New Zealand is such as to permit of applications outside the seven yearjs b«iing considered and dealt with in IjpndoH. ■lt-is. asked.-that publicity be given o ihis information s> that ex-Imperial ,ien may put iH their claims'when they come under this heading.