ANNUAL REPORT

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 137, 14 June 1927, Page 10

ANNUAL REPORT

PENSIONS AND OTHER MATTERS

Reviewing the past yearns work, the Dominion Kxecutive Committee states that "broadly it may bo said Hint there has been a notable increase in th e number of individual cases placed bci'oro tho association, and also that the problems connected with such cases are becoming more difficult to solve. "Without a doubt ex-servico men are realising more and more tho.benefit of the organisation."

"For many years," adds the report, "the N.Z.B.S.A.has done its utmost to alter the Government's 1 viewpoint with regard to the pensions to the wives and widows of returned men, but without success," and regret is expressed that last year again the association was unable to secure the amending legislation desired in regard to (a) the payment of pensions to. the widows of soldiers who died as the result of their war disabilities, irrespective of whether there was a, pre-departure engagement to

marry or not, and (b) the payment of pensions to disabled -soldiers' wives and .children, irrespective of the. date of marriage. - _" .; Protesting against -the' seven-year time limit in, the, .1923 Act ■' amending the 1915 War PeiisiOns.-'Act,: the Executive Committee; comments on the reply of the Minister of Defence to the representations made..by'it: "So that the 'benefit of the doubt-clause which the N.Z.R.S.A. fouglit" iso. hard to obtain in 1923 will not operate in connection with; a'ri' application, '.for war pension lodged 'over.'seven'years after discharge—there , must . be' no doubt about the establishment, of such a claim. If there is ariy'.'doubt ;.at 'all the decision will not. be'-for the applicant; it will be against-him.:-. Anyone who has had anything.to do with-a claim, for war pension knows that,thV'.benefit of. the doubt' going to'the-applicant is the saving of a great number of ■ cases. To "remove this clauso meiaris .that, the difficulties surrounding a c)aim for pension on the grounds of aftritmtabilitv in the future will be "greatly increased"." ARTIFICIAIi LIMBS. With reference to the artificial limbs question the'report states:—"The sontract for the supply of'inctaTlimbs ►.-x----pires shortly, and -the .Government U calling for tenders for-the manufacture of about five types of an entirely now metal limb. Headquarters 'immediately sought details, of. the..specifications of" such limb, and -was surprised to discover that the .limb had riot been assembled in any one of' its various types, even for experimental! purposes. The closest consideration is being given to this matter,- and • strong representations anent'. the subject will be made to the Hon. Minister of Defence. Your Dominion executive-, committee* is certain that the paramount object, of tIKHon. Minister of Defence is to make the best possible limb available and so allay any further dissatisfaction with the metal limbs. It would be fatal to endeavour to issue a limb' which up to the/present exists only: in blue print drawings and typed specifications; the ultimate decision in respect of the efficiency and comfort of ..any artificial limb depends a great, deal upon the amount of confidence which theivjaraplaces in it. Therefore headquarters will urge that a period of practical test be given to the proposed new limb, in its various types, and also that other recognised makes ofMimbsbe practically experimented with before anything definite is done." ''' ;.'..; ; '' The. New Zealand. Returned Soldiers' Association: ■■ (adds'- the roport) cannot speak :■ too•-.-liighly of the various chairmen arid--medical oflicHis who have .acted in connection with the War Pensions Appeal Board; '■ this tribunal has the confidence of- the e\soldiers, who, when; their decisions have been received, feel' that; they have-been given every opportunity: of presenting their cases and, furthermore, they know that, if unsuccessful;,. th,ey may eoir.fagain with fresh'evidence and receive the same patient "hearing^ : "Headquarters has: had several imperial appeals.to-deal with; and it would be as well.for local; associations to note that it is possible for!- the iex-Imperiai soldier in. New.Zealand %6 successfully present'his appeal in"the CTiiited Kingdom through the New/Zealand Eeturned Soldiers' Association with aropresentfitive of the Britiß'Kr.L'egion acting as advocate on his belvglf before the tribunal in London,"?? '•■.■'".■.'■..'',■■-.'■ .' ... LAND^S^±INtK ' : .The executiy^reportsltHjtt during the year no. iprogreis'- hd3;'lseeii :miade in respect to' question.s :.o'£j'l^M' 'arid rating. '■•.The resplu^.QiVslo.pt'.thevlast Dbminio'n Council ■.meetingi'^ifs'iyji-) :.Tverc- -duly . considered■ by; iftd'^Tiop., of Lands, and w,'itlioutvgiyiitgVthc actual details)of .tlVc.:-rep]^;.it!Cni!J}'.;,be staled that nsne of-tlifcm riy.ei'eAgreed: to. The position with reg^rdr'it«;;thc,-Dischargef] Soldiers' . Settlemeiit"^Act -'is -.-■ almost identical with thatststedhin your.Dominion executive Vco'inirutteefs: last annual report. Ad.vanewr'fpr^houses arc restricted to the disabled- riieri of 50 per cent, or more disability; !wh,ilo'the limited surplus, funds, ; are v stiU' urgently needed to assist'the soldier settlers."' As to the disabled gbidJcrs, the report states:—"The; gchemeV for economic pensioners has.;,hid.a fair trial now, and,'so; far: as:cj\iv be seen by headquarters, there ;is '. no .appreciable difference in the: number ;of' men receiving' the economic' pension. One thing has been established, however, and that is a r011,,0f disabled war pensioners deomed to be. unemployable b\ both the Pensions- and Labour. Departments. This roll now totals seventy names, and;additions are steadily being made." ; J-' The report.refers to 'the serious prospects with regard to unemployment during the winter, and suggests that, if the Poppy Day 1 fund and. other funds prove insufficient to meet the needs of the case, the ensuing year's interest on the Canteen Funds might be. used for tho purpose of supplementing them.