EX-SOLDIERS’ PENSIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23463, 30 March 1938, Page 5

EX-SOLDIERS’ PENSIONS

TO THE EDITOn Sir, —There has been a good deal of argument in your columns on the subject of ex-soldiers’ pensions A dis abled soldier with a 40 per cent, disability is entitled to draw (he economic pension provided he has no other income, but what about the hundreds of disabled soldiers in New Zealand who are classed as 25 to 35 per cent, disability? They are only entitled to their disability pension, as there is only about 5 per cent, di(Terence between them and the economic pensioner. I consider they are the men who should be found work through the Civil Reestablishment League. The majority of these men are only fit for light work and what chance have they to maintain their families, when the labour market is full of fit young men waiting for employment? Why should these men be penalised through no fault of their own? I say it is up to the Government to find suitable work for these men. for have not their families the same right to live in reasonable comfort as a man with only a slightly greater disability—and that only on medical evidence. We have not forgotten the promises which a generous Government made when we left all we held dear in 1914-1918 “ We will see to it that those who are fortunate to return shall not want ” After years of hardship and suffering in front line trenches, broken in health, we are still struggling for an existence. Is that British justice? I leave it to the public to judge.—l am, etc., Foot-Slogger. Mosgiel, March 28.