DISABLED EX-SOLDIERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 62

DISABLED EX-SOLDIERS.

EXTENSION OF PENSIONS

PROPOSALS BEING FORMULATED.

WELLINGTON, September 26.

Parliament is to have an opportunity of discussing the report of the Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Commission before the session ends. This information was given by the ’Minister in Charge of the Pensions Department (Mr J. G. Cobbe) when the estimates of that department were receiving the consideration of the House of Representatives today.

“ I would like to know from the Minister, or, better still, from the head of the Government when the report of the Soldiers’ Rehabilitation Commission is to be taken,” said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr J. G. Coates). “I have received communications from all parts of- the country, and from these it is evident that action is needed without any delay. In many cases men are breaking up. and the doctors are finding it difficult to attribute their disability to war service.’’

The Minister said the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr E. A. Ransom) had promised that an opportunity would be given to debate the report of the commission. The Government had given consideration to several of the questions raised in the report, including that of attributality. The main recommendation in the report—the one which dealt with the setting up of an organisation practically independent of the Pensions Department —had been the subject of negotiation between the department and the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Subject to further consideration by Cabinet a scheme had been practically agreed upon between the department and the association. The undertaking, he felt sure, would be satisfactory to all parties. Later, he hoped to have an opportunity of submitting the details of the plan to the House. It would be impossible to give effect to tiie original recommendations in the commission’s report owing to the amount of money that would be involved.