SOLDIERS' PENSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1938, Page 6

SOLDIERS' PENSIONS.

TTie letter in Thursday's "Star" by "C.G.W." was very much to the point, and I think come explanation is due to the returned soldiers re the apathy of the present Government and also returned soldiers' associations all over Xew Zealand. Mr. Savage has stated that the soldiers are well looked after and satisfied. Well, personally I am still short of five shillings weekly of the economic pension, and with a large family the cost of living is at least fifteen shillings more weekly. Therefore in this period of prosperity we are one pound weekly worse off than when under another Government. Another thing which is very odd. The former Government made 30/ weekly the economic pension rate. This one made it 25/. One wonders who was responsible for this. It would be a good thing if candidates for the next Parliament were asked what they intend to do on the soldiers' behalf. Then one would have an idea how to vote. As "C.G.W." says, we have been well caught, though it seems Mr. Perry doesn't think so. L.M.R. Much is being said at the present day about soldiers* pensions, and I certainly think they have every right to complain. " I am just wonderfcior jf I, too. have any cause. I am an imperial, and, of course, I* cannot hit the Xew Zealand Government. I was discharged on March 29. 191G, and was given a pension of 12/8 a week for one year. I went before a medical board and was graded CHI. and the pension stopped. I was" in fair health" then, and continued to be so until about five years 'ago. Since then I have been on and off" sustenance until about six months ago. I was taken to hospital at the beginning of Februarv, and was in there for seven weeks. I then came out of hospital and have been In bed ever since. The doctor now informs me that I shall never l>e able to work any more, and advised me to apply for the invalidity pension. I have only got a small allowance" of sustenance coming in. and I am supposed to be kept on a special diet, with three bottles of medicine every two week* and rent and firing, etc. I have applied for a renewal of mv pension {several time.;, and have asked the Rizht Hon. pi". J. Savage to apply for me. but I am told they can do nothing for me. What I am sroin" to do now I do not know. I sunpose I am one of those who has to fade away. ONLY A POOR IMPERIAL.