SOLDIERS’ PENSIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 598, 26 February 1929, Page 12

SOLDIERS’ PENSIONS

BIG BENEFIT SCHEME PAYMENTS FOR FIVE YEARS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY •‘For the past five years the Government has expended in the vicinity of £350,000 in pensions for disabled ex-soldiers and not a tap or work has been done in return, although the recipients have urged repeatedly that some employment within the range of their capabilities be provided.” This statement was made in a communication trom tht- headquarters oL the New Zealand Rcturneu Boiaiers' Association in Wellington ana laid beiore the Onehungu uorougn Council last evening. The iN.Z.awS.A. further said that it had set up a commission to investigate tiie position thoroughly and to produce a scnenie to reduce the annual expenditure on pensions. The assistance of the council was asked regarding the number of exsoldiers in the borough in receipt of pensions, for whom it was proposed to establish some sort of homo, colony,

workshop or institution to provide tor their present and future welfare. The object of the scheme was to place exservice men and their dependents in such a position that would secure to them the enjoyment of reasonable comfort with a minimum oi assistance from Patriotic, Social Welfare, lied Cross or similar funds. The writers of the letter said that the K.S.A. was of opinion that the majority of disabled ex-soldiers preferred to earn their living and thereby retain their independence rather than accept assistance from the various funds. Another object was to make provision for the large number ot exservice men who were unable to do heavy manual work and whom the R.S.A. had found it difficult to lit in. Something had to be done to remove such men from the ranks of the unemployed not only in their own interests but for the relief of the community generally. On the motion of the Mayor, the town clerk was instructed to o apply the necessary information to the N.Z.R.S.A.

STATISTICS WANTED DETERMINING MANNER OF RELIEF Invited to comment on the proposal. Mr. T. H. Sharp, secretary of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, said the idea was to collect statistics of all returned men in need of assistance and to decide what form of relief should be given. The New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association would furnish a report to the Canteen Fund Board, which would determine the manner of relief. Nothing would be done immediately. Ex-servicemen, it was realised, would be “cracking-up” in ever-increasing numbers a.s the years went on, and they would have to be provided for. All local bodies, patriotic and relief societies and welfare institutions had been circularised, with a view to ascerr taining the actual position. It was hoped to review the whole scheme of “economic” pensions. These were pensions payable to unemployed men in receipt of war pensions. Under the provisions of the plan a man received 30s a week while out of work.

If he should secure say three days’ work one week which returned him perhaps £2 that sum would be deducted from the next month’s economic pension. Therefore, it did not pay a man to seek casual work.