AID FOR EX=SERVICEMEN

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1929, Page 11

AID FOR EX=SERVICEMEN

REPLACING PENSION SYSTEM PROVISION OF SUITABLE WORK. SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. . Wellington, Last Night. The order of reference for the inquiry to be held shortly into the question of providing such work for partially disabled ex-servicemen as will enable them to live without the aid of an economic pension has been drafted and the details will be announced by the Minister of Defence in the course of a day or so. In an interview the Minister 6aid that' while he was not at present in a position to disclose the scope of the investigation he could repeat what he had already said in the House of Representatives, that- a careful inquiry would be made into, the conditions and circumstances of those returned soldiers who wore not physically able to maintain themselves without assistance from the State.

It was clear that the commission in order to arrive at comprehensive recommendations would have to travel the country and take evidence at the four •centres. That evidence would be collected by returned soldiers’ associations who were already preparing for the coming of the commission. The commission would also inquire into the position of South Africa and Maori War veterans. The Minister said the commission would investigate cases not only of men who were partially disabled but of those who, though neither partially nor totally disabled, were, as a result of war service, unable to maintain themselves. This would, of course, mean classification and the Minister should expect to receive from the commission detailed reasons for such classification. Whether or riot after the commission had reported legislation would be required was a matter for consideration by the Government. The interests concerned were entering whole-heartedly into the very necessary examination and inquiry. While the commission, in devising means of finding suitable employment for the ex-servicemen might relieve the Government of certain annual expenditure, the result of its recommendations might' or might not mean any saving to the country.