“ That is Quite Unreasonable ! ”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7196, 30 June 1933, Page 6

“ That is Quite Unreasonable ! ”

SEVEN MONTHS’ DELAY IN DEALING WITH WAR PENSIONS Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. “I knew there was somo dissatisfaction, but I did not know there had been such long delays in dealing with appeals,” said the Minister in charge of Pensions (Hon. J. G. Cobbe) when a deputation from tho Auckland Provincial Patriotic and War Relief Association asked that arrangements be made to expedite the work of tho War Pensions Appeal Board. Mr. A. G. Lunn said tho association had recently passed a resolution suggesting the disbanding of tho ordinary War Pensions Board and the institution of a Pensions Appeal Board for each Island. ‘‘Wo do not want to press that proposal,” said Mr. Lunn, ‘‘but wo want some relief from the delay in dealing with pensions. If a man has a reasonable claim for pension we keep him going from our rapidly diminishing funds until the ease has been decided.” Ono case was citod in which a man had lodged an appeal in November and another man in March. Neither had a prospect of having his case heard until September. There were said to be scores of other claimants receiving weekly grants from the association pending the determination of their cases. Mr. Cobbe: ‘‘What you want is to have these appeals expedited!” Mr. Lunn: ‘‘Yes, but if these cases drag on for months—” Mr. Cobbe: “That is quite unreasonable. Give me a letter citing half a dozen cases and I will have tho position investigated.” The deputation undertook to supply the Minister with several typical cases in which dolays in dealing with appeals had occurred.