WAR PENSION SYSTEM

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2620, 16 November 1915, Page 6

WAR PENSION SYSTEM

"A SCANDALOUS HATTER" WOflK FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS.

The ordinary meeting of the Wellington Central Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday. The president (Mr. C. M. Luke) occupied the chair. A reply was received from the Prime Minister, regarding the constitution of the Board of Trade. In. dealing with Mie matter, the president said that it was too late for them to take any steps regarding the personnel -of the board. Dealing with another matter, he said that from -a discussion which had taken placc in Auckland, it seemed that largo quantities of German goods were coming into this country from the United States. Tho executive of the Chambers of Commerce mot the following day, and tho matter would probably be discussed. It seemed to him that every British Government should take steps to prevent any false representation of imported goods.

Mr. L. A. Edwards said that there was not the slightest doubt that Garman goods were coming in. It was hard to say whether they were German or American, for a large quantity of imported goods were manufactured in American factories which wero financed by Germany. He instanced goods which were practically German,, 'and stated tliat he had made representations to tho Customs Department, and the reply was that t'hey weire practical* ly powerless. If every article was branded with the country of origin the difficulty would be got over to a large extent. He urged the executive to pay particular attention to this.

Mr. A. Leigh Hunt thought that tho Board of Trade, as it was to be set up, was really a trade commission, to help the Government from time to time. It' was not the kind of permanent board that they had hoped for. They had desired that all branches of industry should be represented on the Board of Trade. , 1 Worltless Soldiers, The Prime Minister wrote that he had read with interest the resolutions passed by the Chamber regarding closer settlement, and the employment of discharged soldiers, and stating that ho would be glad to give careful consideration to them, when dealing with the matter. It was decided to send copies of tlhe resolutions to the Associated Chambers of Commerce. Mr. G. Winder urged that returned soldiers should get preference in any vacant employment, either Government, municipal, or private,, and moved the following resolution:—, ' _ "That in the opinion of this «rancil the Government, all local bodies, and .members of the Chamber be ' earnestly urged to establish a principle of giving preference to returned soldiers in the matter of employment, and that members, of the". Chamber be afforded, through ( the secretary, information regarding the qualifications of returned soldiers seeking employment, and that tho . Government supply a list'to the secretary of such soldiers."

Ho said 1 soldiers wore coming back and wandering about the streets, not blowing wliero to gain employment. Ho thought if the Government would take a stand on this question it would help recruiting more than anything else. He thought returned soldiers, if they were in any way capable, should have preference to, any vacancies in'the Legisla/tive Council. They had risked their lives,-.and mirely were entitled to such an honour; • ■- • --. ■

Mr. A. Leigh Hunt seconded the motion. He thought 3f the secretary was notified each week by the Government as to what soldiers wore available for employment it would help matters. He mentioned that it was a distressing thing that young men seemed to be leaving the country to avoid service at the front. One young man off his staff had gone, and left his mother and sisters to be protected here while he went to America-. 'Had the speaker known that such was the intention of the young m'an lie would have been "bumped" long ago. The motion was carried. The following motion was moved by Mr. J. F. Atkins:—"That this' Chamber •urge the Government to take stock of thoir own Departmental officers, and release all the eligible men who are able to servo their country,, and put in their p]aco, wherever possible; returned soldiers." Several members took exception to the motion. Tlioy felt that as: the National Registration had been taken up, the matter might bo left in the hands of- the Government in tho meantime. Mr. Atkins agreed to withdraw the motion. Awarding War Pensions, Mr. Edwards spoke at some length on the question of ivar pensions. Married men, lie said, who felt thev could go wore being held back' by the way the pensions were administered. There seemed to be a penalty on thrift in the way pensions were awarded. The- uncertainty of the matter was tho causo of. a great many holding back. There was no. equality of sacrifice in the method. f The president said that it seemed that." the children of those who had saved? small amounts wero penalised by the pro-i sent system. • Mr. Edwards: It should be taken up, by everybody. It is a scandalous matteii He moved that the matter should be considered by the executive of the Assoc. ciated Chambers. The resolution was carried.