SOLDIERS' GRATUITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17361, 7 January 1920, Page 7

SOLDIERS' GRATUITIES.

-*> CASES OF HARDSHIP. DISTRICT COMMITTEES URGED. The operation of the war gratuity scheme was discussed by the executive of the 1 "Returned Soldiers' Association last even- ; ing, when a letter was read from the | Christchurch Returned Soldiers' Associa-

] tion requesting support for the proposal ! that the Government be requested to ap- ' point special committees in each of the , four chief centres c>t the Dominion to con- ' Eider and adjudicate on cases of hardship 'and anomalies under the scheme, and that I the Returned Soldiers' Association should ' have adequate representation on such com--1 mittees. , . i ']he letter stated that a resolution em--1 bodying the proposal had been lorwarded Iby the Ghristcmint. Association to the i Minister for Detence, Sir James Aden, ! who had replied that as each application , for the gratuity was considered on its | merits the appointment ul such committees ' would be ol 110 material advantage, the I Christchurch Asscciation, however, knew ,of cases having been submitted to the Minister for special consideration, which had simply been referred by him -to the ! head of " the Gratuity Department for 1 reply. I The chairman said there were many ; cases of hardship under the gratuity , scheme, and the matte'- had been placed . before the Prime Minister by the Auckland 1 Association. He considered the Christ- ' church Association's proposal should bo j supported. i Similar opinions were expressed by I other speakers, and a resolution on similar I lines to that of the Christchurch Association was passed unanimously. It was d?cided to forward copies of the l'pso.ution to the Prime Minister and 10 the Christchurch. Association.