OLD SOLDIERS' CLAIMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14926, 31 August 1910, Page 4

OLD SOLDIERS' CLAIMS.

THE WAR PENSIONS. THE PRIME MINISTER UN- . FAVOURABLE: (Fnou Oon Own Cobeespondeht.) WELLINGTON, August 30. Two matters affecting old soldiers were discussed in the House tliis afternoon. Ono was the claims of old soldiers in respect to land which are now investigated by the magistrates, and the other was the petition' of Maori war veterans that they should be allowed a military pension of 10s a week under the Military Pensions Act in lieu of the old-ago pension. This petition was Tcferred to the Government' by the committee for favourable consideration. Mr Hcrrics said that although the claims of old soldiers were being inquired into, by magistrates, ho did not think enough publicity had been given to the fact by advertisement in the daily papers. ,' Sir J. G, Ward «aid that, on receipt of . the reports of the magistrates the Government would consider them. Mr Massey : Do you expect to get them this session '! Sir.J. G. Ward said he did not know whether they would be to hand by that time. He thought members were misinformed when they said that the fact that inquiries were being held by magistrates was not generally known. Referring to the claims of war veterans for a special pension, Sir Joseph said the recommendation of the committee was a reflection upon the old-ago pensions system, as underlying.it was a suggestion that, that wi.s a system of charity. There were the old-age'pension system and tho military pensions; and it was now proposed to institute a third system. Many of these men were now receiving the oldage pension and there were some of them Svho would not be granted a pension by a military board. He was opposed to iwss'ing legislation. to give special pensions as requested. To whom should the pension be granted? If it were granted to the holders of the medal, many worthy men would be excluded, Mr Wilford complained that the investigations of the magistrates into old soldiers' claims were not proving in every case satisfactory. He quoted a letter from Mr Samuel Smith,- of the Hutt, who is nearly 86 years of age, complaining that when he.,had given his' age and. described his landing . hear Fetone'and other incidents of. the early days his veracity was doubted.■■• He would like to know whether the inquiry that was taking place was of a perfunctory character, or whether the claimants were being given every opportunity to. prove their claims.' Any solicitor would, he felt sure, be glad to help the old veterans to get their pensions free of cost. He thought parliamentary authority should bo given to meet tho claims of the old soldiers. Mr Massey said that some veterans had complained, that the magisterial examinations were of a perfunctory character.

ilr. T.__ E. Taxlor. said _hg_ considered

that the claims should be settled as soon as they had been decided. Mr Brown contended that a grant of £5000 or £10,000 might be put on the Supplementary 'Estimates to meet at once cases as they were decided. ' Sir Joseph: No, I cannot agree to that. This appears to be a case of ever) - member trying to go one better than the other.