PENSIONS OF DISABLED SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1920, Page 7

PENSIONS OF DISABLED SOLDIERS.

- I 75 PER CENT INCREASE DEMANDED ■ Christchurch, September 22. At a meeting of the Canterbury Provincial Executive Of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, a discussion took place regarding the present scale of pensions, and it was decided to urge all associations in the province to j bold general meetings before the end of ] the month with a view to bringing pressure to bear on the Government to increase the present scale. The following resolution was carried unanimously:— In view of the fact that the pension hitherto granted to the totally and permanently disabled soldier was inadequate when it was granted, and in view of the fact that tlie cost of living has risen by at least 7!> to 80 per cent, since alio outbreak of war, this meeting calls upon the Government to increase tlie pension payable to totally disabled and permanently disabled soldiers from tlie :£2 a week payable at present to £3 10s a week, and to increase tlie pension payable to partially or temporarily disabled soldiel's and to dependents in similar proportion. This meeting of tlie Canterbury District Executive of the N.Z.R.S.A., believing it is the duty of the country to do everything possible for soldiers maimed and disabled in the war, calls upon the Government to make the above increase of 75 per cent., applicable in all cases of disablement, and that the War Pensions Act bo amended accordingly. This meeting maintains that power to grant supplementary and attendants' pensions should not be withdrawn from the War Pensions Board."