APPLICATIONS FOR WAR PENSIONS

Southland Times, Issue 24887, 29 October 1942, Page 4

APPLICATIONS FOR WAR PENSIONS

Number Rises Rapidly

The magnitude of the work created by the rapidly increasing number of applications for war pensions was emphasized by the registrar of the Social Security Department at Invercargill (Mr R. A. Fernandez) when he appeared before the Southland Armed Forces Appeal Board last night in support of appeals for departmental officers. “In 1939 war pensions were submerged by applications for social security; today social security is submerged by war pensions,” he said. In 1938-39, 912 applications had been received for war pensions from soldiers and their dependents; in 1939-40, 673; in 1940-41, 1758; in 1941-42, 7166; and in the six months to September 30, 1942, 9485 applications had been received.

“The department is still doing a big job for soldiers and their dependents from the last war,” Mr Fernandez said, “as well as administering the onerous and increasing duties under the Social Security Act, which is perhaps the most comprehensive legislation ever passed by Parliament. Now, in addition, we have to deal with numerous and, unfortunately, rapidly increasing numbers of applications for war pensions- for soldiers and their dependents. The number of pensions in force at March 31, 1939, was 27,000 and at September 30, 1942, 32,000.” Appeals for C. R. Gibbs, clerk and agent, Riverton; H. D. London, district agent, Queenstown; and H. D. Ritchie, agent, Gore, were adjourned sine die. Mi’ D. Wilson, who appeared for the State Advances Department in support of appeals, said the officers of the department were engaged on important work for the repatriation of soldiers. This work was increasing and further reductions in staff would have a serious effect.

An appeal for R. E. P. Harris, office assistant, was adjourned sine die and an appeal for L. Scrimshaw, acting accountant, was adjourned to January 31, 1943.