WAR PENSIONS BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16782, 25 August 1916, Page 2

WAR PENSIONS BOARD

The War Pensions Bo.ltcl sat in the Land Boaid room at IHuiedm yesterday. Sir D. G. A. Coojier, S.SI. (Wellington), is chairman, Colonel R. J Collins (Government Auditor and Controller-general) and Dr 11. I'ollen being the ottier members, with Sir G. C. Fa"he as secretary. The business of the board w mainly to consider tho renewal of temporary pensions, and it is prepared to meet any man who may desire to make representations regarding his disabilities and his compensation. Duimg tho day only one man came forward to complain that li.s pension (as distinct trom. allowance) was unsatisfactory. This applicant, who is not totally diabled, lepiesented that his pension of 10s was not adequate, and tho board agreed to incieaso it to 255. Of 120 persons circularised to appear m Dunedin, tho cases of 39 were considered yesterday. Six of these weie granted permanent pensions, to take elfect at the expiration of tho term of their present allowance. In each of these case.-, the men were in employment, their disabilities not being such as to prevent thern earning a fair wago. The boaid wishes to mako it plain that, no mattei what a man's allowance or pension may be this remains undisturbed to tho end of the term it hai> been granted for, even though the man is earning a big salary. Then, if the allowance bo a tempoiaiy 0110, tho case is reviewed at the end of the term. Twelve others of the 39 had their allowances continued for varying periods, at the end of which they will come up for rev tew again. sev 1 n had their allowaneses continued, and wero informed the extension would bo a final decision, five were notified that their allowances would cease at the expiry of tho teym for which the original allowance was granted; two wero ■adjourned for further medical reports; fivo cases will bo icconsidored at tho end of tho jieriod, which, in the majority of cases, itho end of the ye.ll; and one pension wties increased from 10s to 25s One man w 110 came forward had been picviously declined a pension by tho board on the report of tho Medical Board, which stated that his disability was not contraete-d on seivice, but existed at the time of 1 nlistmcnt Further investigations proved that the disability was aggravated in this case bv service, and the man was granted ,1 pension. It should be clearly understood that, should a mail b" suffering from a complaint at the time of lus enlistment, and this complaint disable- him from proper'v cairying o.it his mihtaiy duties, he is not entitled to compensation. If. however, the complaint is aggravated bv such service, and finally causes his disablement, then some compensation mav be gi anted In another cas<* a mart's application had l>eon declined on two occasions, as it had l>eo!i represented bv the nodical reports that the disability fr< m which he was "tifTer--1 rig wis not due to his military service. Tho m in stated hi« '-asc to the board, and, after examining 1 i.v the? board was satisfied respecting, bis disability, and granted linn a penooncnl pension. The members exorcised 1 egret that tli r v had ne.t been I able to era-it him the pensv,i pri viouslv | through not hnvin'" the fell f:«'ts of the 1 case before the-in. Two dependent a (In ver Weill oa<"es) eamo before tho board. One noucin who is receiving 10s. had her pensiein inrreased to 15s; another, who ts revolving *os. had the amount increased 10 whlcji is (be full amount the lvv alln-vs. Tlre'ie is i full el.p- be 1 i-»e th" loi>'d to day. .mil it 1 s exnoHeo 10 or c.vses vv ill lv» dei.ilt will' Tile' lv.ird wi'l ato sii to inorrov morning .ire vet to be held 111 Onm/iru (on Mond.iv fraTJi noon to 1 2 prill r I iniarri. \shburton, a na. i r a | sarj, u.. 1:1 m Ciiristfhureh j