DISABLED SOLDIERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 20 June 1931, Page 8

DISABLED SOLDIERS

RE-ESTABLISHMENT ACT FINANCES ARI’ANGED An announcement that the Governjneiit was taking immediate steps to put into operation the Disabled Soldiers’ Civil lie-establishment Act, passed last year, was mad& by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) yesterday. The Act, which was based ‘upon the* report of the Ex-Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Commission, provides for the re-establishment in civil employment or occupations of disabled members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and the New Zealand Boer War contingents, irrespective of whether disability is due to the effects of war service or other causes, and whether the soldier applying for assistance is in receipt of a pension. For the purpose of assisting disabled soldiers to obtain suitable employment or to engage in suitable occupations, the Minister in Charge of War Pensions may:—

(a) Appoint local advisory committees in respect of specified districts or localities. (ID Make arrangements with employers for the employment of disabled soldiers. (c) Establish and carry on schemes for vocational training of disabled soldiers. (d) Make payments to disabled soldiers to supplement their earnings in any employment. “Provision is made for the appointment, so far as practicable, to every local advisory committee of representatives of societies or associations controlling war funds, of orangisations of employers and of workers, of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, and the New Zealand branch of the British Red Cross ap'd Order of St. John,” stated the Minister. “There is also provision for the appointment as members of the Public Service of such employment and vocational oflieefs as may be necessary for tlie purpose of carrying out the objects of the Act.

“Although the Act has been oil the Statute Book since October of last year, the Government lias been unable, owing to the depression and financial stringency, to set its machinery in motion. As financial arrangements have now been completed, it lias now been decided to appoint almost immediately the local advisory committees, nominations for which ’ have already been received from all interested bodies, except the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, and at the same time to appoint the employment officers who will co-operate with the committees. When these appointments have been made, the Pensions Department will he in a position to receive and deal with applications from ex-soldiers wishing to avail themselves of the provisions of the Act.

“The general administration of the Act is placed in the hands of the Commissioner of Pensions, and the Minister lias authority to delegate to the Commissioner such of his powers and functions under the Act as he thinks fit.”