WAR PENSIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24737, 14 October 1941, Page 8

WAR PENSIONS

REVIEW OF SYSTEM A ROYAL COMMISSION SUGGESTED VIEWS OF RETURNED SOLDIERS A --Wholesale reorganisation of; the war pensions system operating in New Zealand is advocated in a remit forwarded by the Dunedin Returned Soldiers' .Association for consideration at a special general meeting of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association to be held towards the end of this month. Deputation to Government The remit states:—" That this (meeting of the Dominion Council of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers' Association should appoint a deputation to wait on the Government urging that a highly competent authority, such as a Royal Commission, with a Supreme Court judge as president, should be set up to investigate the whole ethical and financial basis of a pension system for war disability, and urging the Government, following the report of such authority, to review the War Pensions Act of 1915 and its amendments." . The Dunedin. Association submitted that a.'studv of .the increase in wages over the period 1915 to 1941 revealed an approximate increase of 60 per cent. It was also contended that widows with or without children and widowed mothers of soldiers, whether totally or only partly dependent, were in a class of their own and their pensions required careful study. The widowed mother should receive, by right, the pension payable for the loss of a son, irrespective of any benefit to which she might be entitled under the Social Security Act. , - Other Remits Other remits brought forward were as follows: -.■■. " That this conference urges the, Government to increase the children s allowance from Is 6d per day to ?s. per day. The amount of Is 8d per day was set in 1916. and this is not applicable to 1941, with the increased cost of living.". . ; "That.in the case of money raised bv public appeal for Poppy Day. Patri T otic and Ilea. Cross purposes and grants made by 'these organisations to exsoldiers and •.their dependents, such grants should not be treated as income by the Social Security Department." "That this conference urges the Government tor set -up special army clinics to deal with all ex-servicemen attenaing outpatients''department at public hospitals and so avoid undue delay in receiving treatment.!' " That tni| conference is of opinion that New Zealand should accept the responsibility for payment, allowances and pensions of members of the forces and their dependents, where such members were domiciled in New Zealand prior to their enlistment in :his Majesty's naval.; 'military and air forces." "That the Government should be recmested to increase the mufti allowance of soldiers on discharge from £7 10s to £ls 155." ' ..; V :. > j.-->< ' Hospital Care

"This conference recommends that in any case where a soldier is being tried or interviewed- In respect of a serious crime or for self-inflicted injuries, that prior to such trial or interview the man should be examined by ajnental specialist. This conference urges Tthe Government to review the accommodation in all mental hospitals and to make such arrangements whereby all / ex-'seryicemeri requiring treatment will receive the best possible treatment and attention." •;•