WAR PENSIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23781, 8 October 1940, Page 9

WAR PENSIONS

PERSONNEL OE BOARD RETURNED MEN'S COMPLAINT ACTION BY GOVERNMENT Dissatisfaction with Government changes to the personnel of-the War Pensions Appeal Board find concern at the loss of Drs. W. N. Abbott -and W. C. McCaw were expressed at a recent provincial conference of the Auckland branches of the Returned Soldiers' Association. It was stated that, as a result of the changes, the b&nefit of important research work, which had been followed in the United Kingdom and the United States would be lost. Delegates expressed the -view that the changes were due to the former board's just and impartial many of which might not have found favour with the Pensions Department. This was because many hundreds of appellants in Auckland had been successful in their appeals, whereas they would probably have had no chance of success elsewhere, the difference being the result of the medical officers' researches.

It was stated that upon nomination by the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association, Dr. McCaw had been reappointed, but Dr. Abbott had been replaced by another doctor as Government appointee. Immediately following this Dr. McCaw had resigned. Dr. Abbott had then been pressed to accept the _ Returned Soldiers' Association nomination, but had declined. It was reported that the facts had been placed before the Minister of Pensions, the Hon. W. E. Parry, who was requested as a last resort to communicate with the Auckland division of the British Medical Association, asking that body to recommend two ex-servico doctors. As nothing happened for somo time, a letter was sent to Dominion headquarters of the Returned Soldiers' Association, asking it to request tho Minister to have the matter considered by the War Cabinet. Headquarters declined to do this.

The provincial conference carried tho following resolution:—"That this convention views with the greatest possible alarm the action of the Government m not reappointing Dr. Abbott to the War Pensions Appeal Board in view of his long and valued experience in dealing with disabled soldiers, and requests it to do so without further delay or give valid reasons for not doing so, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dominion headquarters."-

TRAINING AT TiE RAPA 29TH BATTALION IN CAMP [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday"* Excellent progress is now being made with the training of the 29th Battalion, an infantry unit preparing for overseas service and now encamped, at the Te Rapa racecourse. The measles epidemic, as far as the Te Eapa men are concerned, lias now run its course. There are nearly 600 men encamped at Te Rapa. The health of the men generally is excellent, and the buildings of the Waikato Racing Club form comfortable quarters for those not in tents. Recreational facilities are provided in a canteen conducted by Mr. J. R. McCluro, of the Y.M.C.A. The unit has been equipped with ..rifles and machine-guns, and field training is in progress. Arrangements 'have been made to equip the battalion with a band, and when it is available, it is expected the battalion will take a route march through the streets of Hamilton. Major H. J. Thompson has been appointed officer, commanding the battalion, and Lieutenant J. K. Collins is adjutant of the unit..