DISABLED SOLDIERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17276, 27 September 1919, Page 8

DISABLED SOLDIERS.

SCHEME FOR SETTLEMENT.

INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS.

PATRIOTIC BODY'S ACTION.

The comprehensive community scheme for permanently disabled soldiers, such us was recently proposed to be carried out at Mangere, has definitely been abandoned by the Auckland Patriotic Association, and a sub-committee of that body is now ascertaining the individual wishes of the men.

The acting-chairman of the association, Mr. V. J. Larner, stated yesterday that each case was being considered on its merits, and up to the present about 25 permanently disabled men had submitted their cases to the sub-committee. Although the larger scheme had been abandoned, if a small group of men wished to settle in a district together, the association was quite prepared to consider their wishes, and to give effect to them if possible. There was a great diversity in the wants of the men already interviewed, and each one appeared to be set about with particular circumstances requiring special consideration.

With the present policy of giving special attention to individual cases, there was some delay, as properties had to be inspected, but it was hoped that a quick decision would be reached in the majority ox cases. Mr. Larner said nearly all the permanently disabled men were desirous of obtaining two or three acres of land and a cottage, the land to be used for poultry or fruit farming, or similar occupations. The most striking characteristic of the permanently crippled men was their wonderfully cheerful disposition. Every one was an optimist, and it was no small tribute to their strength of character that they came up smiling in spite of their many tribulations.