WAR SERVICE PENSIONS

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 19 October 1933, Page 4

WAR SERVICE PENSIONS

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION HEALTH OF MANY AFFECTED. CABINET TO CONSIDER, (By lelegraph--Pre*» Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 18. Introducing the War Pensions Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day, Mr J. A. Lee- (Lab., Grey Lynn) said it was proposed to permit all soldiers who had had a period of active service to put in a claim for a war pension in the event of ill-health on the ground that their service had contributed to their breakdown.

Mr Lee said that after a. lapse of years hundreds of men were suffering breakdowns in health, blit because they had been discharged as fit soldiers they could get no pension at all. There was no doubt in his mind that active service had been responsible for their misfortune. The Bill would place on the Government the onus of proof that active service had not been responsible for their ill-healtli. Mr R. A. Wright (Co.. Wellington Suburbs) said he hoped the Government would take up the Bill. Mr W. J. Jordan (Lab., Manukau) said the whole House would agree with the principle contained, in the measure.

Mr A. M. Samuel (Co., Thames), suggested the Bill should be referred to the Defence Committee so that evidence could be taken and a report submitted to the House. He believed the Government would then feel in duty bound to assist those who at present had no rights through anomalies in the legislation. The Bill was supported l by a large number of speakers from all sections of the House. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes said that in the administration of pensions the Government had to do the best possible with the means at its disposal. There was always a limit to the load which could be placed on the people of any country. There was no doubt New Zealand had done a great deal with regard to the treatment of returned- soldiers, who had received sympathetic treatment by the Pensions Board, which had done everything it possibly oould in favour of applications. Mr Forbes said he would be pleased to look into the points raised during the debate.

The Bill was read a first time