KNOTTY PROBLEMS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10546, 24 March 1920, Page 5

KNOTTY PROBLEMS

OUR DISABLED SOLDIERS BIG CONFERENCE TO DECIDE FUTURE POLICY. An important conference concerning disabled soldiers and their dependents is being called to be held at Palmerston North shortly after the Easter holidays. It will be remembered that a conference of representatives of war relief bodies was held in Wellington recently to consider whether the time was opportune for the allocation ot the largest possible portion of the funds of every society to establish a national fund for the bonefit of disabled soldiers and their dependents. The subject of uniform treatment of disabled soldiers was another matter set down for discussion.

After considerable argument, in which most opposition to tho iden came from Mr V. J. Lamer, tho Auckland delegate, the conference resolved to affirm the principle of a national fund. A sub-committee was then set up to go further into the question and present a report as to. how the idea might be put into operation. However, the outcome is the conference which is to bo held at Palmerston North. Tho purpose of this gathering is to endeavour to ensure some (basis of uniform treatment of disabled soldiers. It was intended to hold tho conference before Easter, but some returns which are being prepared by the Pensions Department are not ready. -The department is taking out' a complete list of men who have been -'awarded pensions of from 25 per cent, to 100 per cent, that are likely to become ttermnnent {pensioners. Then Brign-dier-General McGavin has asked for another return bearing on the matter, and neither can be obtained yet owing to the great amount of heavy work entailed in producing them. It is expected that the returns will very soon be available, however, and.the conference will then be proceeded with. The coming conference is Jooked on bv those 'interested in the' work of war relief as of the ' importance to tho whole of New Zealand. Tho problems before the delegates are regarded as particularly difficult, but a serious effort will be made to solve them.