CARE OF EX-SOLDIERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1008, 26 June 1930, Page 9

CARE OF EX-SOLDIERS

R.S.A. INTERVIEWS MINISTER 1 REHABILITATION REPORT Press A ssociation WELLINGTON, Today. A deputation from the Returned Soldiers* Association, which yesterday waited on the Minister of Defence, the J lon. J. G. Cobbc, urged tbe putting into effect of the recommendations of the Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Commission. The Minister in reply expressed sympathy and said that owing to economy needs the Government was unable to adopt all the proposals. He said, however, that legislation embracing many of the recommendations was! being; prepared and that the time limit in cases of attributability was definitely being abolished. Sir Andrew Russell, who introduced the deputation, said the matter wae one of urgency. Mr. \V. Perry went through the main points of the report, which lie commended for its efficiency. The recoin- 1 mendatiofis would aid the solution of the unemployment problem. Mr. M. F. Gambrill, of Gisborne, said £IOO,OOO a year was being spent on economic pensions while patriotic societies were spending tens of th/ousands. Savings in this respect, therefore, would be effected. The Minister agreed that the commission had been very able, but lie did not think full consideration had. been given the question of finance. Changes in pensions by reducing the old-age qualification alone would involve a large amount. Other pensioners would also seek concessions. The Government had gone ns far as possible in the direction of soldiers' land settlement on which £30,000.000 had been spent. The estimate of the money tx> be spent on returned men and their 'dependents was £1,200,000.

The seven-year clause limiting attributability to the war of disabilities would be abolished. Legislation concerning the pensions appeal in connection with unemployment was being prepared at present.

SATISFIED WITH REPORT

“ABLE AND COMPREHENSIVE”

WELLINGTON, Toda

The Returned Soldiers’ Association Conference yesterday resolved: “That in the opinion of the council, the able and comprehensive report submitted by the Rehabilitation Commission is a most valuable contribution to the solution to the problem of unemployment generally, and to the problem of physically and economically disabled soldiers.”

In particular, tribute was paid to the personnel of th© commission and the value of the report was enlarged upon by several speakers, including MajorGeneral Sir Andrew Russell. Particular praise was given Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M.. the chairman, whose work was described as absolutely wonderful. “So thoroughly did Mr. Barton believe in what the commission had brought down,” said Mr. Harrison, “that he was prepared to take the platform and speak on the carrying out of the report.

Copies of the report marked by the conference are to be circulated to members of Parliament and to local associations, local bodies, chambers of commerce, etc., and headquarters is to seek permission from the Government to collaborate with the Law Drafting Office in th© preparation of a Bill to give effect to the commission’s recommendations. Steps are to be taken forthwith to proceed with the establishment of a Soldiers’ Civilian Reestablishment League.