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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23060, 10 June 1938, Page 13

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KEPLY TO ME. SAVAGE EX-SOLDIERS' PENSIONS ' NOTES OF DEPUTATION Date, time and place sought by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, concerning remarks attributed to him bv Mr. J. W. Kendall, president of the Auckland Returned Soldiers' Association, as to the pensions payable to "burnt out" soldiers and'civilian invalids were supplied yesterday by Mr. Kendall, Mr. H. Mildon, vice-president, and Mr. J. L. Faulkner.

They said they comprised a deputation of three from the association which waited on Mr. Savage at the Station Hotel, . Auckland, at 9.30 a.m. on March 10, 1037. The deputation was introduced by the Hon. B. Martin, M.L.C., and they brought before the Prime Minister matters relating to the war veterans' allowance, a questionnaire of returned soldiers, war graves and employment of ex-soldiers. Circulation to Branches Notes were taken of the Prime Minister's answers to the points raised, and these were typed within an hour of leaving him. They had been circulated to all branches of the association and had been referred to publicly on many occasions since.

The notes taken of the point at issue state: —

"In drawing the Prime Minister's attention to the War Veterans Allowance Act, Mr. Kendall stated that this Act had not provided the relief intended. The allowance payable to wives and children of 'burnt out' soldiers was lower than the amount allowed dependants of economic pensioners, invalids and war and civil widows. Appeal to Prime Minister

"Mr. Kendall appealed to the Prime Minister to review the War Veterans Allowance Act, and amend the legislation so as to provide for the many Imperial soldiers who are now hopelessly 'burnt out' and a charge on the charitable aid boards and the association. Also to increase the rates payable to the wives and children and men in this category, as he stated that a man who hau fought for his country was deserving of greater consideration than ordinary civilians. "The Prime Minister, answering Mr. Kendall, stated that ho and his Ministers had discussed this subject with the executive of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, who were satisfied with the present arrangements. He was not of the opinion that 'burnt out soldiers' and their dependants should receive better treatment than invalids, and further, that Imperial soldiers would be adequately provided for under the national superannuation scheme as sfoon as the necessary legislation could be passed."