RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1919, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

COKfIERENCE WITH MINISTERS. By I'ekgtapl).—Press Association. Wellington, Aug. 2. The executive council of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association met members of the Cabinet to discuss questions arising from the last'conference of the Association. The Ministers present were Sir James Allen, Hons. W. D. S. AlaeDonald, W. H. Uerries, Sir Wm. Kraser. G. W. Russell, and D. H. Guthrie. Sir James Allen said it was gratifying to see the spirit shown by the returned men iu rehabilitating the country. . He thought they were wise not to be a political body, but at the same time he know that if some of them saw their way to stand foi Parliament and were returned their services would be welcomed. Ho ro«retted deeply that there was no such organisation na they proposed in existence outside Parliament and independent of Parliament to advist; on questions .which Ministers were too fully occupied to consider. Regarding the restriction on pensions he had not been in favor of disabled men marrying outside New Zealand. He had nothing to say against the marriages that had. taken place, but he thought that at times some scheming woman might marry a soldier for the pension he would get and the one they might have. If the restriction were now removed would there not be a claim for retrospection? Mr. Harper: No* Wo agrde to its dating only from the.time of legislation.

Sir James AJJen said he was willing to submit to Cabinet the question of removing this restriction, and atao that on marriage within two years, as ijt affected pcnt-ion eligibility. Regarding the minimum pension to totally disabled men, the board now made grants of £i and £5.

Mr. Harper: The supplementary pension ie governed by pre-war earnings. We WHnt to make it definite.

Sir James Allen said it was a matter of policy which would be considered; but in view of what the board was now doing he did not think they had made nut a »trong case. , He would, submit to Cabinet the question of seven years' limitation. Sir James said-he, had hoped to have a statement from Mr. Seymour regarding what allowances they thought should be retrospective. Mr. Seymour said they • wanted the principle applied subject to certain limitations, to (1) a reduction to meet the case of added living cost's, which was not sufficient reason for cutting out retrespection wholly; (2) theoretical limitation of the country's ability to pay; (3) limitation in individual cases wherethe amount was small and difficulties |rere great. There would not be a compromise on principle, and where they did compromise it would bo a question" of expediency.

Sir James Allen said he wanted to know What the Bill was to be. The Ciovemmcnt bad not settled the war gratuities, and that must depend upon what they had to meet in other directions. With regard to the promise to provide for dependents, as soon as he Knew that men with six or seven children were going he stopped it. Allowances ware not madn earlier in order that siisgle men might first be sent. In reply to a question, members of the deputation said they wished the children's allowance* to be considered bcfciro the gratuities.

Sir James Allen paid that nil would bo considered together. The extra Is for the first month would cost £85,000 for men on foreign service That would lie considered by the Government. He thought the Government had made provision' for a widowed* mother.

Mr. Curtayne: For a widowed mother of a married man there is fair provision, out not for a single man. Sir James Allen said that question would be considered, also would be the bearingof the insurance policy loading due to the war disability. As to venereal disease" he did not see why there should bo any difference- between civilians and. soldiers,

Mr. Hemes said that nil the questions imbmittod would be considered earefiily lie believed the success of the repatriation work had been almost entirely due to the boards set up in different centres there had nover been any friction between them and the Ministerial Board, the policy of decentralisation fiad proved a very wise one.

Mr. Mac Donald expressed appreciation of the way in which the soldiers subraitted their requests. Mr. Russell said that Cabinet had decided it did not at present see anv necessity for a Royal Commission t'o inquire regarding the patriotic funds. Such commission, if act up, would have a huge task, which would take two or three years jf the whole of the patriotic funds of the Dominion were to be inquired into. The Government desired "«ly to see that funds were used according to law for the purpose for which limy were raised.- The Government hnd no power to compel societies to use funds for the purpose for which tiicv Were raised; it could only see they were not used for other purposes, ifc was compelled, in 1017. to withdraw the compulsory clauses of the Social Hygiene Hill, but was satisfied that at ,the first session when the question would be considered these clauses must be" reinstated. He .save an assurance that soldiers would not he treated differently to civilians, Mr. Guthrie made 'a brief statement in reply to representations regarding land policy. He had prepared a statement, which lie was sending to Mr. Sevmonr, setting out the Government's position with regard to the whole matter. This was in readiness for the return of Mr. Massey, bo flint alterations in policy could be considered in the light j of experience.