DISABLED EX-SOLDIERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 794, 15 October 1929, Page 13

DISABLED EX-SOLDIERS

ECONOMIC NEEDS TO BE STUDIED COMMISSION OF INQUIRY Press Association WELLINGTON, Monday. The order of reference for the commission to inquire into the position of soldiers physically and economically incapacitated was approved by Cabinet today. The commission is to report by February 10 next. The inquiry is to relate to the condition and the circumstances of persons ‘‘being now residents of the Dominion,” whether men or women, who were engaged in military, naval, or air service in the Great War, South African campaign, or Maori War,* and who at the present time are not in a position adequately to maintain themselves and their dependants. The commission is instructed to inquire into the adequacy of the present provisions for meeting the requirements of persons affected, and into the necessity or expediency of making further statutory provisions. The points of the inquiry fall under six heads, as follow: (1) The present condition and circumstances of such persons, their approximate number, and the nature of their disabilities. (2) The adequacy of the sources at present available, and the sufficiency of the methods employed, for the alleviation of the condition of sucli persons, whether by pension from the Crown, by allowance from funds created or available for the purpose, by existing statutory facilities for land settlement, establishment in business, financial assistance, special training and treatment, and otherwise.

(3) Generally, the means by which the remaining capacity of such persons can best be utilised so as to enable them in whole or in part to maintain themselves and their dependants, and the advisability or otherwise of adopting any particular means

! which may be proposed for that pur- ! pose. (4) Iu cases where no means are likely to enable such persons to be ; able by their own efforts, either partially or wholly, to maintain them- ! selves and their dependants, the best ; means of affording assistance to them. (5) The classes of persons who should come within the scope of any recommendations, and the principles governing such classifications. (6) The necessity for legislation to enable such recommendations to be | carried into effect. The commission, which will sit in the four main centres, is expected to begin its inquiry at an early date.