WAR PENSIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22142, 22 June 1935, Page 15

WAR PENSIONS

PRESENT ANOMALIES CONFERENCE DISCUSSION PLIGHT OF EXIMPERIAL MEN Anomalies in the granting of war pensions were discussed at the annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association in Wellington, several remits from branches on pensions being considered. A remit was passed expressing concern at the serious situation of many ex-Imperial soldiers in the Dominion, and requesting the British Empire Service League to take the matter up with the British Government with a view to securing a measure of relief in the following classes: —Inadequacy of the Imperial pejrision under the conditions in the Dominion, particularly when the war disability has increased to make the pensioner wholly or partially unemployable; inability to receive treatment in respect of a disability for which a pension was originally granted, but discontinued on the ground that aggravation has passed away, and review of final awards te compensate for subsequent aggravation or development of the original disability. The British Empire Service League is to be asked to get into touch with Viscount Bledislce concerning the subject.

It was decided to ask headquarters to obtain particular's of the New South Wales rally held recently in Sydney, and go fully into the matter with a view to holding a similar gathering or gatherings in New Zealand. This was decided in place of a remit from Gore that, with a view to stimulating further interest in the N.Z.R.S.A., headquarters consider holding a monster reunion at, say, Trentham Camp, - and, if considered practicable, that steps be taken to arrange it. It was resolved that the constitution be altered so as to admit as active members men of the mercantile marine who served in transports in war zones and who were issued with the British war and mercantile marine medals. The conference agreed to request headquarters to instruct associations to sell poppies only in their own districts and within a week prior te Anzac Day where practicable. It was not considered possible to fix a day for the sale of poppies throughout the Dominion.