PAYMENT OF IMPERIAL PENSIONS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20612, 30 July 1932, Page 11

PAYMENT OF IMPERIAL PENSIONS.

TO THE EDITOR 0? THE PBBSS. Sir,—May I be allowed to voice a grievance, through your columns, concorning the New Zealand Pensions Deportment and the long and unnecessary tielay in paying Imperial pensioners the exchange money duo to them since December 31st, 1U31? We were notified at last payment that w© would receive further payment soon after June 30tli. Apparently the task is too formidable for the Pensions Department, for thero is no word or sign of the six months' money due to us—money which is legally ours. As the majority of us are unemployed or on relief 'work, tho delay is entirely unnecessary and cruel, «"nd is only helping to add to our sufferings. I am informed from a reliable friend in Wellington that whatever tho delay is, it is not due to any shortage of staff in the Department. Being Imperial pensioners we do not look to the New Zealand Government for any consideration ; nor do we receive any. But ,si the least we are fully entitled to our own overdue payments. . For their own benefit or protection, the Imperial pensioners should petition the British Legion to form a branch in New Zealand as soon as possible.—Yours, etc., , , a , DISABLED. July 28th, 1932

[The officer-in-charge of the Pensions Department in Christchurch says that the head office of the Department lias been kept busy on the necessary adjustments for some time. It was hope:l that they would be completed before the end -of the present month and they are expected very soon.]