PARTIAL PENSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1937, Page 8

PARTIAL PENSIONS.

PROTEST BY ASSOCIATION. DISABLED SOLDIERS' PLEA. The, subject of partial pensions was raised in a deputation to the Commissioner of Pensions, Sir. H. D. Smith, from the Auckland Disabled Soldiers' Association, recently. The vice-president and delegate speaker for the association, Mr. A. J. Anderson, stated that the time was overdue for the complete abolition, by means of new legislation altering the War Pensions Act and amendments, of clauses dealing with temporary partial pensions and partial'pensions. He eaid that a new amendment should be added to the effect that all New Zealand returned soldiers who were suffering from war service or war military camp service as well a<* all returned soldiers who were at the present time in receipt of a temporary partial pension or a partial pension and who were out of work should have the legal right to receive a full pension. > Mr. Andereon said that to-day any returned soldier in receipt of a partial pension could not possibly find work. Even his children were penalised with poor food, poor habitation and poor education. When the Government abolished the partial pensions scheme it would save, he said, a large amount of money, the travelling War Pensions Board would not be required, and pensioners in receipt of full time work and pay would be omitted from a pension. He pointed out that the original aim of the partial pension was to supplement the earnings of incapacitated soldiers who were able to perform light work. "It is the New Zealand Government's obligation to grant all New Zealand partial war pensioners and dependents la nil war pension," stated Mr. Anderson. The Commissioner promised to bring fhev.association's" representations under the notice of -the Minister. ■ ■"•■ ■■<?> -n--- ; ~> " '