RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSN.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1924, Page 5

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ ASSN.

DOMINION COUNCIL MEETS. QUESTION OF PENSIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Sept. 20. The Dominion Council of the Returned Soldiers’ Association met today.. when regret was expressed at the reply received from the Minister of Defence with regard to the resolutions carried in June regarding war pensicns, and it was decided that if no reply is received by Monday a deputation shall wait on the Minister and also bring to his notice the question of the eligibility of a widow married more than two years after discharge for pension. it was decided to recommend that the Dominion executive approach the Government in order to make the Spahlinger treatment for tuberculosis available at an early date. The question of whether the fitting of limbs should be done at Wellington solely, or whether it should be done in the four main centres, was discussed, and the opinion expressed that it should be done at the four centres. The conference decided that no action be taken in regard to the suggestion that it was desirable that the War Pensions Appeal Board should sit in , centres other than the four main ones.

The question of pensioning neurasthenics caused some discussion. Tn order to minimise the chances of delay it was decided to inquire into the possibility of the medical superintendent’s report being made a fortnight before ; discharge. The Minister for Lands is to be asked to instruct district lend registrars to advertise house properties which soldiers who have built them desire to transfer. The conference resolved that it noted regretfully that the Hon. A. D. McLeod had not yet made hi® promised statement to Parliament regarding the demands of the R.S.A. for the reopening of the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act and on ha® allegation that the association did not represent the bulk of returned soldiers’ opinion. A detailed reply by the Hon. A. D. McLeod to the association’s resolution regarding land settlement was consideied. The Minister intimated that he intend® to instruct Crown Lands Commissioners to grant, preference to returned men, whether they have already settled or not, in the letting of grazing rights. Regarding the subdivision of pastoral leases they fall due and placing them under offer to landless soldiers, the Minister said this was already the policy of the department, provided the soldier applicants were suitable, but land board® had been instructed, when no soldiers applied, to allot the section to the most eligible civilian rather than allow the land to lie idle.

Regarding revaluation, Mr. McLeod explained that when the Dominion board was unable to reconcile the values assessed by district committees further reports were asked for and district committee® were asked to review their decision. In such cases larger reductions than those recommended by district committee® had been made where circumstances warranted it. Everything possible was being done to expedite the revaluation.