RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1919, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. By Telegraph—Press Association. \ Wellington, Last Night. A deputation from the executive of the Returned Soldiers' Association waited upon Sir James Allen, and put before him several matters. Replying to the request that the work of the Pension Board should be expedited, and the regulation providing that for a wife to be eligible for a pension the marriage must have taken place within two years of the letter's return, Sir James Allen said Cabinet had agreed on the limitation of two years after careful consideration. He couldn't Bee how the Government could go farther than that at present. However, the matter could be investigated. Regarding the general work of the Pension Board, there would be no trouble in the future regarding married men, as they would be dealt with first. The deputation asked that the Government should make special provision for employment of disabled soldiers, and said that some of the men who were having sufficient pension, with a little outside assistance, to live without working, were going downhill rapidly. The Minister said the problem was a serious one. He would consult the Repatriation Board and endeavor to achieve a scheme that would meet the difficulties of the position. He would be glad if the association would give the' Government all possible information regarding disabled men. Sir James Allen said he would submit to Cabinet the request that Anzac Day should be declared a statutory holiday.