HELPING RETURNED MEN.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 191, 13 August 1919, Page 8

HELPING RETURNED MEN.

PATRIOTIC CLAIMS BOARD. £0410 ADVANCED IN SIX WEEKS. A number of matters affecting tho welfare of returned soldiers were dealt with in the report of tho Claims Hoard of the Auckland Patriotic Association, presented to the executive of that body at its meeting this afternoon. The report, dealing with tho period July 1 to August 11. stated thai, the work done in the period constituted a record. Xo less than 1400 applicants for assistance were dealt with, 1003 of them appearing in person, and cash payments under all headings amounted to £(1410. The Hoard was continuing to assist necessitous lit men who had been discharged but were unable to find suitable billets. Partially unfit men had also received help, either to augment their pensions or to tide them over until their pensions had been determined. Dealing with a number of matters affecting returned men tiie report stated that there has been a noticeable delay in the graining of pensions due, it was believed, to two caused —(1) the Oomm»-L sioners having ben on tour, and (2) uiedioal_j>apers being delayed. FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT. Many men discharged as fit on demobilisation had complained to tiie hoard of their wrong classification.* These wore sent for medical examination, and in a largo number of cai.es their contention, had been upheld, and their claims had] been recommended to I lie Commissioneri of Pensions. Tne board thought that publicity should be given to tne fact that I mon recently discharged wore c | .b!e to receive free attention front the New Zealand Medical Staff. Many, not knowing this, consulted their own doctors, and! Thou had tin- account* -cut to the board for payment. Tins was a charge that the association should not be expected to hear, for should the soldier's, condition be such as to preclude him from attending in person the P.M.O. would detail a medical officer to \isit in in at his place of residence. Several soldiers recently discharged had pre sente.l themselves suffering from tuberculosis. Those men had been liberally dealt with. The hoard were of opinion that the maximum pension for this peculiar case of hardship should be materially increased. IN'K.MI'I.OYMKVT. ■'There appears to be an increasing 1 difficulty in obtaining employment for partially unlit and even for lit men," tho report continued. "This position will { probably 'bo accentuated with the return 'of future dfufl*. Private enterprise cannot he expected to launch out int.. new channejj during thin lime of uncertainty and utfre-t. The position appears to be' ! further complicated b> the reported de-l vision of the Government in employ no more men on pubiic works in Auckland. There is possibly some reason for this, action of the Covernmetlt that has not] yet been made pirtiiie. otherwise their; 1 policy is hardly understandable, iUU | , s j certainly most .let r.mental to the activities of Repatriation Hoards an.l Patriotic' Societies." 'To t his the following note was added: "Since tiie above was written the position appears to have cased some what, for we now understand that owing to line weather conditions more outdoor work is .iv,i.lablc on mads and railway! works." j CO-OPERATION. | A round table conference was held on ' July 1!0 between the Hoard aud representatives of the Repatriation Hoard. It wa.- hoped that tho result would pr.ne to the mutual advantage of both bodies, reducing to a minimum the rir.k of overlapping and exploitation. 'The Hoard had also met the representatives of the Returned Soldiers' Association with regard to the most desirable way of helping permanently disabled soldiers. Suggest ions were offered, which were now being considered by the committee, and which would be submitted in due course. TIIK M.WCFRK PROPKRTY. Regarding the Mangere settlement scheme, the report stated that the property was being subdivided, and it was hoped to offer the sections at public auction at an early date. At tho same meeting a letter was received from the secretary of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, stating that the opinion expressed to the Patriotic Association by the disabled soldiers' committee against the suitability of the M.mgerr site for a settlement, was without the approval ot his executive, whose views it did not ropre-ont. Tho letter was received.