OLD SOLDIERS' CLAIMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14926, 31 August 1910, Page 6

OLD SOLDIERS' CLAIMS.

The Prime Minister occupied fairly sound ground when he expressed his opposition in 'the Lower House yesterday afternoon to a proposal that veteran soldiers should be granted special military pensions, fixed at 10s a week, in substitution for oldage pensions. Apart from the fact that many of those on whose behalf this claim was made are not entitled, under themilitary system, to pensions equal in amount to the old-age pensions, the proposal, as expressed in the petition of (he veterans which raised the discussion, involved a suggestion that the old-age pensions scheme is one that has the taint

of pauperism and charity attached to it. That is a suggestion which it is impassible to entertain seriously. The accident that many of the recipients of old-ace pensions were, prior to the introduction of the scheme, dependent to some extent upon charitablo relief for the means of their subsistence, and the provision that the pension cannot bo successfully claimed by a person who is in possession of any but tho most modest moans, do not brand the system as a wholo with the stamp of pauperism: It is designed, instead, to serve as a recognition on the part of the State of the good services rendered it by reputable persons who have not enjoyed tho good fortune of. achieving success and of retaining the fruits of success. And it is impossible, therefore, to see that tho veteran soldiers suffer any loss of self-respect in accepting the old-age pension ih company with tho persons in civil occupations who qualify for it. Incidentally to the discussion on this point, Mr Hemes complained that sufficient publicity is not being given to the fact that it has been remitted to the stipendiary magistrates io hold inquiries into tho claims of tho old soldiers in their respective districts for land grants, and to report to the Government the results of their inquiries. Wo believe this complaint to bo. thoroughly well founded. The magisterial inquiry at Christ-church has already been concluded, but wo have heard no word of its being held in any other important district in the country, and we question whether more than a minority of the persons affected know when or where or by whom the inquiries are to bo conducted. As, however, it is understood that this will be a final effort to arrive at a settlement of tho whole' question of the claims of these old soldiers, it is highly important that the fullest publicity should be given on the point of tho nature of the investigations that are to be made, and of the date on which and of. the place where they will be instituted.