WAR PENSIONERS SEEK REVIEW

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30312, 12 December 1963, Page 16

WAR PENSIONERS SEEK REVIEW

(New Zealand Prezz Association)

WELLINGTON, Dec. 11. A general tovitation to war disablement pensioners who were gettang on in years and ; who had not been medically re-examined for some tone : to apply for a review of their : pensions, was issued lest February by the Minister of War , Pensions (Mr Kinsella). Hie Minister said today 1 that by the end of August more than 1000 pensioners over 50 had accepted the in- i vitatton and 867 applications ' bad been dealt with. I As a result, the War Pensions Board on the basis of the up-to-date medical reports was able to increase the pensions of 642 or 74 per cent. This result was so encouraging that it had been decided to invite each individual pensioner in certain selected categories to apply for medical reassessment, said Mr Kinsella. ]

Early in the New Year personal invitations will be sent out to a selected group. of 1914-18 war pensioners. Other classes will be dealt with later, he said. “The results of these reviews will show if there is a need for periodical review of all pensions or of certain categories of pension,” he said.

The Minister said the pro* cedure now being adopted by the War Pensions Board would not take away the present right at any pensioner to apply at any tune for reassessment of his pension if he considered his condition had deteratwated. Mr Kinsella said it seemed a large number of pensioners had been granted permanent pensions many years ago and bad not since applied to have their pensions reviewed although advancing age or other circumstances might have resulted in some aggravation of their disabilities. Such pensioners would be well advised to accept the board’s offer, he said.