NOT POORLY TREATED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 9 February 1943, Page 4

NOT POORLY TREATED

MARLBOROUGH RETURNED SOLDIER ALLEGATIONS DISPROVED Investigations made by a special subcommittee appointed by the Marlborough Returned Services’ Association in connection with the allegedly poor treatment accorded a returned Blenheim soldier have shown that the man concerned has been dealt with fairly by the Rehabilitation Department. Discussing the matter with "The Express” the R.S.A. president (Mr J. A. Laird) who, with the association’s vice-presi-dent (Mr W. S. Pratt), was responsible for the inquiry, said that the complaint had been fully looked into, and no fault could be found with the work of the Rehabilitation Officer at Blenheim. This officer had nothing whatever to do with pensions and he had given the soldier every assistance since his return from overseas.

Discussing the State Advances Department’s policy in regard to the advancing of money to soldiers for the purchase of homes, Mr Laird expUined that the position was governed by the condition of the dwelling desired. In the case of an old house in bad repair the Department naturally would not provide money when the building would have become untenable before the loan could be repaid. That was obviously as much in the interests of the purchaser as anyone else.