BROKEN BY WAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21578, 24 August 1933, Page 6

BROKEN BY WAR

THE PREMATURELY AGED « SCHEME IN CANTERBURY COMMUNITY SETTLEMENT To assist prematurely aged returned soldiers suffering from disabilities arising from their war service, but whoso disabilities are not recognised for the purpose of obtaining a pension, the Cbrjstchurch Returned Soldiers' Association is seeking the support of the Government in a scheme to establish a group settlement for some of these men. A deputation from the association met the Minister of Lands, Hon. E. A. Ransom, last Saturday, to enlist his support to the scheme. The deputation stated that the number of men who were now pactically derelicts because of disabilities incurred during war service, but who were not eligible for pensions because they had not previously claimed them, was increasing. The object of the association, in its scheme for a community settlement for these men. was to obtain an area of between 20 and 30 acres, and to place cottages at the outskirts of this. Each man would have his own section of about one-eighth of an acre. In the centre of the whole property would be a social hall, and around it plots of ,gai*den. The whole scheme would for all time be under the control of the association. What was asked of the Government was that it should give a pound for pound subsidy on all moneys raised in Canterbury for this purpose. Effort to Raise £IO,OOO "I appreciate the thought that is at the back of your minds in trying to do something for these men." said Mr. Ransom. "I know perfectly well from my experience as chairman of the Hawke's Bay War Relief Association that there are men suffering from war. disabilities who yet have never applied for a pension, but who now are cracking up. Because they have not previously applied for pensions their claims are hard to prove. Gas cases particularly are suffering now. Still, you will recognise the difficulties with which the Government is faced in opening anv new fund now. I think your request verv moderate." Mr. Drummond: We are trying to raise £IO,OOO. Mr. Ransom: That seems quite within the possibility of achievement, especially considering what was done in the Waikato by Mr. Bryant, in raising £IO,OOO from the public for an unemployment scheme. There may be a means of getting,some assistance from the Canteen Funds. M Mr. Drummond: We have not overlooked that, nor the War Funds Council. » • Mr. Ransom referred to the possibility of doing something by means ' of an art union. Many less worthy causes, he said, had received aid by that means. • • Possible' Disadvantage A pbint to be considered, said the Minister, was whether a communitysuch as was suggested would be altogether desirable, he continued. It was possible that where a number of men suffering from similar disabilities were grouped together in this way those disabilities might be aggravated by such an arrangement. He was sure, however, that the association had considered these points, and he would be very pleased indeed to submit its repre- ? sentations to the acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Coates. " The work would be rather spoiled if the community arrangement merely meant that the men got together to air their grievances," said the Minister. " Their circumstances at present are worse than they could possibly be under such a scheme," said a member of the deputation. "The men are practically homeless. One man practically died of loneliness and malnutrition, living in a room 10ft. by 6ft." " Of course it will help you in getting funds from the public if you can say that you will be getting a definite amount from the Government," said Mr. Ransom. " I shall be very pleased to place the matter before the appropriate Minister."