SOLDIERS' PENSIONS

Grey River Argus, 23 January 1943, Page 5

SOLDIERS' PENSIONS

Increases Wanted £5 10s WEEK FOR FULL DISABILITY. P.A. WELLINGTON, Jan. 22. Dominion representatives of the Second N.Z.E.F, Association held a conference this week in Wellington. Thev later conferred with Rt. Hon. P. Fraser. Hon. F. Jones, Hon. J. G. Coates, Mr M. Moohan. the. Chairman of the Rehabilitation Board; and associated heads of various Government Departments.

Mr Fraser welcomed the delegation. He said that the Association’s representations received the careful consideration of the Government.

Among many matters discussed by the representatives of the Association were questions of making substantial increases in soldiers’ widows’ and orphans’ pensions; a complete reorganisation in the constitution oil the Pensions and Appeal Boards; the shifting of the burden of proof of war service disabiltv from the soldier, to the Pensions Department; and numerous other provisions for ensuing that new returned men and their dependants would not suffer from any time lag. The deputation advocated a basic minimum pension for one hundred per cent disability of five pounds ten shillings per week, in lieu of the old rate of two rounds ner week, with corresponding increases also to widows and orphans. Other matters discussed were totally inadequate mufti allowances, and tlj,e injustice of leave without pay.