MEN DISCHARGED FROM FORCES

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 57, 24 January 1941, Page 4

MEN DISCHARGED FROM FORCES

Treatment And Return To Civil Life APPLICATION FOR WAR PENSION The procedure followed in connexion with rhe treatment and rehabilitation of soldiers due for discharge from the New v Zealand Expeditionary Force on their'return from overseas was explained yesterday by the, Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones. He recalled that in December he had <announced that complete arrangements had been made for hospital or other necessary treat ment of soldiers of the. Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force returning to New Zealand for discharge from the forces on medical grounds. It

was also announced that a soldier would not lie discharged from the forces till he was: (a) Granted a war pension: (b) found suitable employment or had refused to take up work offered him by the State Placement Service: (c) granted a monetary benefit by the Social Security Department pending his return to civil life. Mr. Jones said that on arrival in New Zealand, as soon as the soldier

had been medically boarded and X rayed, he was interviewed by members of the staffs of the Secretary for War Pensions and the State Placement* Service, who provided him with the facilities for lodging an application for war pension, and if fit to do so. arranged for him to he reabsorbed into civil/ employment. He was also informed that he could apply for an

economic pension and pension in re spent of his wife and children. "The soldier’s application for war pension is immediately submitted to the War Pensions Board for a decision as to the amount of pension which may be granted,said' the Minister, “and he is ‘advised as soon as possible thereafter of the board’s decision, together with any information as to what medical treatment is to be provided if this is also required. Complete Co-ordination. "To avoid any time lag between the date on which the discharged soldier’s pay ceases and the date on which he is either placed on war pension or found suitable employment, complete co-ord-ination between the Army Department. Secretary for War Pensions Social Security t Department and the State Placement Service has now beet, ar ranged whereby soldiers, being discharged on medical grounds fro-i mobilization camps, territorial amps

and hospitals, will be dealt with in re gard to pension matters and re-estab-lishment into civil life on similar lines to those men returning for discharge from overseas. ■ “By arrangement with’the Army De partment, the Secretary for War Pensions has installed in the mobilization camps in Papakura. Ngaruawahia Trentham and Burnham. an officer fully trained in war pensions work, 1 and with a knowledge of State Placement requirements It will be his duty to interview each soldier medically boarded for discharge from mobilization camp and assist him to complete a claim form for war pension if he desires to apply. He will also obtain particulars from the soldier as to his former employment with a view to his being reinstated in his old position if fit to resume work. “Where the soldier expresses a desire that new employment be secured for him, a complete history of his past employment and particulars of anv avenue of . employment into which he desires to enter will be taken for the information of the State Placement Service with a view to securing employment along the lines the ex-soldier wishes to proceed. Preparation of Claims. "The soldier will also be fully ac- ■ quainted with the procedure he should adopt if his condition requires further medical treatment at any time subsequent to his discharge from the Forces Similar measures are-, being taken in

regard to men being discharged from territorial camps and hospitals. Trained officers attached to the registrars if war pensions in Auckland.' Hamilton. New Plymouth, Wanganui. Napier, Wellington. Nelson. Christchurch. Timaru. Dunedin, and Invercargill. will visit territorial camps, hospitals and any other places from which soldiers are -being discharged and render them all necessary assistance in claiming war pension, obtaining employment, or otherwise re-establishing them into civil life. "Discharged soldiers with remaining disabilities due to military 'service will not only be granted war pensions and receive medical treatment, but will be supplied by the Secretary for War Pensions with artificial limbs and any other surgical appliances necessary for. the particular disability suffered. "I would like *-o make it known that any soldier already discharged from the Forces requiring assistance in regard to war pension for himself or dependants or medical treatment should report to the nearest Registrar of War Pensions.’ said Mr. Jones “Information and assistance in regard to employment is obtainable from any state Placement Office.- Branch , offices of these departments are established in the various centres through nit New Zealand, and discharged soldiers should not hesitate to avail them- . selves of the facilities provided to 113dst them."