PENSIONS AND INSURANCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 303, 16 September 1921, Page 9

PENSIONS AND INSURANCE

DISCUSSED BY LOCAL R.S.A. At Wednesday’s meeting of 'the Wellington Returned Soldiers Association war pensions and related questions were briefly discussed. Mr. W. Perry (president) occupied /the chair. The president moved: “That m view of the fact that the pension hitherto granted to a totally and permanently disabled soldier was inadequate when granted, and in view of the fact that the cost of living has risen considerably since the passing of the first Pensions Act, this meeting calls upon the Government to increase the pension payable to> a totally and permanently disabled soldier. J- 1113 meeting, believing that it is the duty of the country to do everything possible for the soldier maimed and disabled in the war, calls upoii the Government to make the above increase, and that the War Pensions Acts be amended accordingly; but this meeting maintains that the power to grant supplementary and attendants’ pensions should not be withdrawn from the Pensions Board, ’ _ Mr. Perry explained that the Dominion Council of the association had decided to ask that tho pension schedule should be regraded and pensions allotted on a cost of living basis. Such' basis to bo worked out from figures, supplied every three years by the Government Statistician. The council considered that it would be inadvisable to press at such a time as the present for a 75 per cent, increase all round, and had resolved that the 75 per cent, demand should be made only on behalf of men suffering from 50 per cent, disability or more. The council considered £2 "the irreducible minimum” in the matter of pensions. Mr. A. B. Sievwright (vice-president) seconded the motion, which was carried.

A letter regarding T.B. insurance wan received from the Service Patients Welfare Committee at Pukeora Military Sanatorium. The letter suggested that if the Government refused to insure 1.8. men ■ they should be entitled to a permanent pension. "We should either be insured or granted a permanent pension on the percentage basis,” the committee contended. Mr. J. D. Harper (R.S.A. representative on the Pensions Board) said that the whole question was governed by the opinions of specialists. Apparently the specialists were, not in favour of'•granting a permanent pension to T.B. men because of the effect it was likely to have on the patients’ prospects of recovery. As long, however, as a man was suffering from disability due to 1.8. he would- be pensioned. It, was necessary for T.B. men to be examined at fairly regular intervals. The 9xaminations were made by chest specialists, with of course, varying results in different cases. It was decided! that a deputation should wait on the Dominion- Executive to make representations on behalf of 1.8. mep- ■ The secretary was instructed to obtain, particulars of cases of hardship among returned soldiers drawing pensions.