CARING FOR EX-SOLDIERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 701, 28 June 1929, Page 11

CARING FOR EX-SOLDIERS

GOVERNMENT’S PROBLEM COMMISSION PROPOSED Press Association WELLINGTON, Thursday. A deputation from the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association waited on the Minister of Defence, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, today, and made various requests. Mr. J. M. White, Dunedin, said the Repatriation Department had been closed before all men had been absorbed, and that they were over 1.000 men economically unemployable. Perhaps about 1,000 men could do some work, but 200 others were not able. The Government was paying £ 80,000 to £90,000 in economic pensions, but probably 50 to 75 per cent, of the men receiving pensions were capable of doing suitable work. He suggested workshop colonies or a similar scheme, and suggested that a commission should investigate ways and means. Mr. W. E. Leadley said returned men were worthy of something better than having to spend their declining years in old mens’ homes. The association wanted an additional representative on the Canteen Funds Board. At present it had one in seven. The Minister said he would take no part in establishing veterans’ homes. He thought the request for another representative on the Canteen Funds Board was reasonable, and he would appoint another if he had the power. The question was not whether the Government could save portion of the pensions, but it was its duty to help to find work for the men. Provided it got the right men, a commission could do a lot of good. On Colonel Avery promising £SOO on behalf of the association toward the cost, of the commission the Minister said he would recommend it at the next meeting of the Cabinet.