INCREASE WANTED

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 66, 15 September 1921, Page 4

INCREASE WANTED

PENSIONS FOR DISABLED MEN

ACTION BY RETURNED SOLDIERS

T.B. MEN AND THEIR INSURANCE.

A motion calling upon the Government to grant an increase in the pensions to disabled men was parried at last night's meeting of the Wellington Returned Soldiers' Association. It was stated that a campaign to educate the, public on the question was now under way. Mr. W. Perry moved on behalf of the executive: — "That in 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 outbreak of war, this meeting calls upon the Government to increase the pension payable to a totally and permanently disabled soldier. This meeting, believing that it is the duty of the country to do everything possible for the soldier maimed and disabled in the war, calls upon 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accordingly ; but this meeting maintains that the power to grant supplementary and attendant pensions should not be withdrawn from the Pensions Board." Mr. Perry said that the matter had been discussed at Dunedin and it was decided that the demand for 75 per cent, increase should be dropped on account of the financial position of the country. It was thought better that the pensions should be regarded on the cost of living principle. The 75 per cent, was to be pressed only on account of those who had suffered over a 50 per cent, disability. It had been further decided that the minimum pension should be £2. The Dominion Council had formulated a campaign to educate the public on the justice of the claim. This campaign would consist of articles in tho press and addresses at public meetings. The executive had decided to call a public meeting on the night of Friday, ; 23rd September, and it was suggested that the speakers should be General Sir . Andrew Russell, Mrs. Coleridge, Mr. Smith, and the speaker. The executive wanted Parliament to deal with the matter during the coming session, and Mr. Perry urged all returned men to attend the meeting and show their interest in the subject. Mr. A. B. Sievwright seconded the motion. • ! THE T.B. MEN. On the subject of T.B. men, a'letter was received from the patients at the Pukeora Sanatorium, urging that if the Government refused to inpnre T.B. men it should grant them permanent pensions. Mr. J. D. Harper said that the question of pensions for T.B. men had been discussed before. He did not think that the board would agree with a permanent pension for these men, but men suffering disability would receive a, pension. It was a matter for specialists, who did not agree that it. waß a good thing to give a T.B; man a permanent pension. Mr. G. Morton said that the T.B. men in Wellington were not being examined by specialists. He also suggested that the men at Trentham should be given the permanent pension. Mr. Harper said that the doctor at present examining T.B.s in Wellington was a chest specialist. Mr. D. J. B. Seymour said that if a public «meeting were to be held the members of "the association should sup'p]y speakers with specific cases of hardship in order that the points raised might be "pushed home." He also suggested that a deputation should be sent to the Dominion Executive on the subject of T.B.'s. * Mr. K. B. Bell suggested that in place of the words "since the outbreak of the war," in regard to the cost of living, the words "since the passing of the Pensions Act" should be substituted. This was agreed to, and the motion, in its amended form, was carried unanimously. Mr. Seymour then moved that a deputation, consisting of Messrs. Morton, Mullins, and the secretary, wait on the Dominion Executive, to state the case of the T.B. men. The motion was seconded. A speaker suggested that .members present should make a specific note of cases of hardship that had come under their notice, and hand the same into the secretary, in order that the case of the association might be strengthened. The motion was carried. It was further decided that Mr. Harper and the secretary sEonld collect details of specific cases of hardship. "APPEAL BOARD A FAROE." } The Chairman then introduced the' matter of the Pensions Appeal Board. The secretary (Mr, B, J. F. Aldrich) said that when the association suggested the establishment of an Appeal Board, it was hoped that .there would be some redress for men who had been turned out, but it had transpired that, when once the board had made it« decision, there was no redress. The Appeal Board, said Mr. Aldlrich,, had proved an absolute faroe. .Of a, total of 198 cases heard by the board 147 had 'been dismissed, 11 reduced (the appeals had; been for increases), and 15 withdrawn. It seemed pretty certain that the 15 mon had "got the "wind up." The secretary proceeded to give specific cases, and said that the Appeal Board had backed up the Pensions Board in. a case where1 it was plain that the man concerned could not possibly work. The cases were ridiculed throughout the country, and the result was that the men would not go to the board. The speaker termed the treatment of theretumedmen by the board as "most unsympathetic. ' Mr. Aldrich said that the assefciution had suggested that the Appeal Board should be presided over by a Magistrate, and that the Medical mon should be nominated by the association, but that suggestion had not been adopted1. Mr. M. W. Cummins moved a motion protesting against the treatment meted out to returned soldiers by the Pensions Appeal Board, and reiterating the opinion that the appeals should 'ba dealt with on general grounds. Mr. Cummins said that he was not altogether in favour of thel association nominating the modicnl men; by. tho time a soldier had arrived at the Appeal Board stag* he had had enough of medical men. He also urged that more common-sense was needed on the Appeal Board. , NOT ENOUGH PUSH. Mr. J. M'Kenzie said- that the reason why men had received such scant consideration was that the association and the executive had not pushed the claims enough. The speaker also said that thousands of unfit men had been passed into the Expeditionary Force. Mr. D. S. Smith said that out. of the thousands of cases considered by the Pensions Board, only 198 had, been referred to tho Appeal Board. Surely that showed that tho men were generally satisfied with the work of the Pensions Board. (Dries of "No" and "They've got the wind up.") He was in favour of tho appaals being coiisitlevod on general grounds, but did not agree with the,,

first part of Mr. Cnmmins's motion; they could not criticise the board on the evidence before them.

Mr. M'Kenzie : "A man has to die before he can prove his case." The motion was then put and carried.