ECONOMIC PENSIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20365, 20 September 1929, Page 14

ECONOMIC PENSIONS.

DISABLED EX-SOLDIERS.

PROPOSAL FOR TRAINING.

PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION'S VIEW.

Some doubts respecting tho Government's proposals for tho training and employment of partially-disabled ex-soldiora, which question is to be the subject of an inquiry by a commission, wore expressed yesterday at the quarterly meeting of tho executive of the Auckland Patriotic Association.

In a special report on tlje matter the claims board stated:—"It is understood that the underlying purpose of this inquiry is to consider tho advisability of rescinding economic pensions and in lien thereof establishing an institution, or institutions, whore ex-sorvicemen may receive suitable help to employment and training; possibly it may go the length of considering tho question of agricultural training. . ?V/| "This raises no new question.% policy was in force during anak immediately following the war, period Subsequently, owing to conditions that arose and difficulties that were encountered, it, was discontinued, 'l'hcro are difficulties in the way of any practical scheme; anything of such a character will take us back to the work of the Repatriation Department under subsidies with employers and th 6 establishment of separato workshop units in various trades and occupations. However, if your committee can assist tho investigation in any way and contribute anything of value toward the settlomonfc of this admittedly difficult problem it will do so." The chairman, Sir James Gunson, remarked that the idea appeared to involve a reversion to tho training and repatriation work undertaken in the later years of tho war and for some timo thereafter. Mr. E. J. Phelan said* that if special workshops or institutions were created for the manufacture of goods there might bp considerable interference with private enterprise. Such a scheme would have to bo very carefully handled. •

Mr. A. G. Lunn agreed, but pointed out that the economic pension had its drawbacks, besides being inadequate for tho needs of many men with families.

The notion of tho committee in recommending that Sir John Luko represent the National War Funds Council on the commission was approved.