“DANGER MONEY ”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26416, 21 March 1947, Page 9

“DANGER MONEY ”

Sir,—From letters appearing on this subject it would appear that, some exservicemen do not appreciate the spirit behind the remit passed at the recent meeting of the Dominion R.S.A. Executive. Neither Mr Stewart nor any other exserviceman who is devoting his time and energy on behalf of his less-fortunate comrades desires " danger money ” for himself or for those who are satisfactorily rehabilitated. All those who take a lively interest in the activities of the R.S.A.. know that the Association has had to fight every inch of the way towards obtaining any concessions for ex-servicemen. This, I think, is largely due to the apathy of the general public. One seldom hears of any outside body backing up the efforts of the R.S.A.. 'The whole " raison d’etre of the R.S.A. is to assist incapacitated exservicemen in some measure to overcome their disability. If one compares the maximum pension of a totally incapacitated ex-serviceman and his wife with the amount he would have earned had he " dodged the column,” it is obvious that he is being penalised for having done his duty and perhaps prevented the enslavement of the rest of the community. Sympathy is cheap, but possibly' the general public do’ not know the plight of the totally disabled serviceman. They should, however, as they are reaping the benefits derived from his service.

It was interesting to read recently in the press that a number of ex-servicemen had not troubled to claim their gratuities. It may, I think, be assumed that they comprised men who had satisfactorily rehabilitated themselves, and, being satisfied they had done their duty, desired no monetary reward. That was the spirit which won the war—but the public should not allow such conditions to prevail which allow one section of the community to receive £324 for 18 days’ •’ danger money ” and a totally incapacitated ex-serviceman and his wife to exist on an allowance than the income of an unskilled labourer. —I am, etc., Henry A. Sell. Pouijawea, March 18.

Sir, —In this controversy we seem to be forgetting the part our British sailors played during two great wars. They faced great dangers, made no pathetic complaints, but continued to do their duty. Even our soldiers were often relieved when thsir voyage in some .seas was over. Their courage and generosity form an old story that needs no repeating. The claim in dispute may have been an exorbitant one. This I do not dispute; for evidently their viewpoint changes when they are ‘‘merely lessening the loss of a great and rich Insurance company. The incident, however, by no means describes " their way at sea.” Remember the; little ships and the sands of Dunkirk.—l am, etc., G.R. March 19.