NEGLECT AND INGRATITUDE

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 207, 1 September 1932, Page 14

NEGLECT AND INGRATITUDE

AUSTRALIAN EX-SOLDIERS

BITTER COMPLAINT AT CONGRESS

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SYDNEY, August 23

A congress of war veterans—its correct official title was "The Soldier Settlers' Conference"—was held in Sydney this week with the object of bringing the rights and claims of returned eoldiers under the notice of the Federal and State Governments. One of the matters that moet seriously concerned the veterans was the danger of a further "cut" in war pensions, and a motion was carried appealing to the Federal Government to refrain from making any further reduction in soldiers' allowances. The resolution pointed out that "the contribution of war pensioners last year effected a eaving on the annual liability in respect of war peneions and allowances of £1,000,000"; and the veterans feel that thie, coupled with all their other sacrifices, means that they have now done enough for their country. Special attention was drawn to the fact that, according to the report of the War Service Homes Commission, no relief could be given to the occupier of settlement land "in receipt of anything over the basic wage." This regulation was condemned in scathing terms by several speakers—one remarking that "these unfortunate men cannot draw food relief and the Federal Government is robbing them of their pensions." His conclusion that "this is the most iniquitous- damn thing that ever was put over on us," was loudly applauded by hie hearers. The suggestion that the returned eoldiers might follow the example of America's war veterans and organise a march on the Federal Capital to press their claims there, was countered by an onjinous interjection—"Well, they shot them there!" The feeling manifested in Rome quarters was intense and bitter, and them is only too much reason to believe that the complaints of neglect and ingratitude and the resentment based upon them are. well founded.