(Proceeding.)

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 79, 30 September 1938, Page 11

(Proceeding.)

FEWER UNEMPLOYED

FIT EX-SERVICEMEN

A decrease in the number* of unemployed fit ex-servicemen was commentea on as part of a Dominion tendency by Mr. L. O. H. Tripp., chairjman, reporting to the War Relief As- [ sociation of Wellington at its meeting ! today. Mr. Tripp said that the returns rej ceived by the National War Funds Council showed a decrease over the Dominion, and consequently the council had reduced the amount of the monthly grants for the relief of economic distress. The emergency committee met on 15 occasions since September 2, and during 29 working days dealt with 123 claims, all of which were referred to and confirmed by the applications committee. Forty-five cases were submitted by men the responsibility of other societies to whom the cases were referred to for consideration. The number of callers at the office was 154. There had been no reduction in the number of applications from men who were breaking down in health, and being admitted to hospital for treatment, and many of whom on discharge were certified as being permanently unfit for heavy work. Assistance had been granted to these cases, and action was taken to ensure that the pension or allowance the man was eligible to receive was applied for. As a result of recent representations to the Government by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, j there would be an increase in the war^ veterans' allowances, and this would considerably ease the position of those unfit men not eligible to receive a disability pension. Applications for the supply of bedding, clothing, and footwear, after investigation, resulted in the sum of £121 7s 2d being authorised for the purchase of requirements, and the sum of £178 3s for sustenance. The finance committee reported an expenditure of £421 and an income of £172 10s. The total available funds at August 31 were reported as £13,665.