MARKED INCREASE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 78, 2 April 1935, Page 14

MARKED INCREASE

SOLDIERS' PENSION CLAIMS

(By Telegraph.) (Special to the "Evening Post")

DUNEDIN, This Day.>

Dealing with soldiers' pensions, the annual report of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' Association states;— "Although as time goes on one would naturally think there would be less work in this important phase of the association's work, unfortunately, with the advancing of the years of each ex-sol-dier, this work has shown once more a marked increase, and we regret very much indeed having to report that large numbers of ex-servicemen are' breaking down in health. Many have! had to lodge pension claims for the first time. We impress on ex-service-men generally the vital necessity of 'sticking together,1 for we feel that the Bill already sponsored by Mr. J. A. Lee will eventually be a means of assisting the ex-soldier,' and this result can be obtained only if the association has a strong membership. In Canada there is in force the War Veterans' Allowance Act, 1930, which provides for an allowance to be paid to any veteran duly qualified who has attained the age of 60 or who is permanently unemployable by reason of physical or mental disability. During the recent conference of the British Empire Service League in Melbourne the delegation from New Zealand .made special reference to the manner in which ex-Imperial pensioners are treated."