RETURNED MEN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 88, 23 January 1943, Page 6

RETURNED MEN.

requests made to government (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 22. Dominion representatives oi the 2nd N.Z.E.E. Association held a conference this week in Wellington and latei conferred with the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), the Minister or Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), the Minister of Armed Forces and Mar Coordination (the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates), the chairman of the Rehabilitation Board (Mr M. Moohan) and associated heads of various Government departments. Mr Fraser welcomed the delegation and said that the association s representations had received the careful consideration ol the Government. Among the many matters discussed by the representatives of the association were questions of substantial increases in soldiers’, widows , and orphans’ pensions, a complete reorganisation of the constitution of pensions and appeal boards, the shifting of the burden of proof of war service disability from the soldier to the Pensions Department, and numerous other provisions for ensuring that the returned soldier of this war and his dependants will not suffer from a time lag.

The deputation advocated a basic minimum compensation for 100 per cent, disability, and of £5 10s in lieu of the old rate of. £2 a week with corresponding increases to widows and orphans. * Other matters discussed were mufti allowances and the question of leave without pay.