PARTIALLY DISABLED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 791, 11 October 1929, Page 7

PARTIALLY DISABLED

WORK FOR EX-SERVICE-MEN SETTING UP OF INQUIRY Press Association WEDDING TON, Thursday. The order of reference for the inquiry which is to be held shortly into ! the question of providing such work for partially disabled ex-servicemen as will enable them to live without the aid of the economic pension, has been drafted, and details will be announced by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. T. M. Wilford, in the course of a day or so. In an interview the Minister said that while he was not at present in a position to disclose the scope of the investigation, he could repeat what he had already said in the House of Representatives, namely that a careful inquiry would be made into the condition and circumstances of those returned soldiers who were not physically able to maintain themselves without assistance from the State. It was clear that the commission, in order to arrive at comprehensive recommendations, would have to travel the country and take evidence at four centres, which evidence would be collected by Returned Soldiers’ Associations, who. in accordance with notifications received, were already preparing for the coming commission. “The commission would also inquire into the position of South African and Maori War veterans.” said the Minister. ‘‘The commission would investigate cases, not only of men who were partially disabled, but of those who, though neither partially nor totally disabled, were, as a result of war service, unable to maintain themselves. This would, of course, mean classification, and he would expect to receive from the commission detailed reasons for such classification.” Whether or not, after the commission had reported, legislation will be required was a matter for consideration by the Government.

“While the commission, in devising means of finding suitable employment for partially disabled ex-servicemen, might relievo the Government of certain annual expenditure, the result of the recommendations of the commission might, or might not, mean any saving to the country.”