EX-SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18541, 29 April 1922, Page 13

EX-SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN

GOVERNMENT’S FREE PASSAGE 1 SCHEME. ' (Pi* United Pb«bs Association.! WELLINGTON, April 28. > At the meeting of the War Relief Asso-ciation-this afternoon reference was made to the Government scheme to grant free passages to ex-service men and women. Tlie Overseas Settlement Committee said it would be happy to co-operate to enable successful working of the scheme. Colonel Pow said a good many were coming from Britain under the King’s Fund, or on their own account; consequently ■ the examination was not strict. The Imperial Government had been written to on the subject, pointing out that many cases which had arrived in the dominion had been so disabled that they were unable to maintain theinselvee, their wives and families, and haxl had to be returned by tlie New Zealand Government. The Auckland Association had in jeil that no assistance should lie given to fit men, but Wellington decided to treat each case on its merits. v Mr Leach (secretary) stated that it was a crime to bring men to New Zealand under a misapprehension, or without providing work for them. Fit, as well as unfit, found difficulty in securing positions. It/was decided to communicate with the High Commissioner, asking him to bring cohesion .between the King's Fund, the Overseas Settlement Committee, and the Commissioner’s office. Since tho previous of the board : applications had been received for assistance. The fund showed a balance of £44,650. "