EX-SOLDIERS
PENSIONS WHEN ILL OBJECT OF MR J. A. LEE’S BILL By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, October 18. Introducing the War Pensions Amendment Bill, Mr J. A. Lee (Lab., Grey Lynn) said it proposed to permit all soldiers who had had a period of active service to put in a claim for a war pension in the event of ill-health on the ground that their service had contributed to their breakdown. He said that after a lapse of years hundreds of men were suffering a breakdown in health, but because they had been discharged as fit soldiers they could get no pension at all. There was no doubt in his mind that active service had been responsible for their misfortune. The Bill would place on the Government the onus of proof that active service had not been responsible for the ill-health. Mr R. A. Wright (C.. Wellington Suburbs) said that he hoped the Government would take up the Bill. Mr W. J. Jordan (Lab., Manukau), said that the whole House would agree with the principle contained in the measure. Mr A. M. Samuel (Ind., Thames' suggested that it should be referred to the Defence Committee so that evidence could be taken and a report submitted to the House. He believed that the Government would then feel in duty bound to assist those who at present had no rights through anomalies in the legislation. The Bill was supported by a large number of speakers from all sections of the House. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes said that in the administration of pensions the Government had to do the best possible with the means at its disposal. There was always a limit to the load which could be placed on the people of any country'. There was no doubt that New Zealand had done a great deal in regard to the treatment of returned soldiers. They had received sympathetic treatment tv the Pensions Board which had done everything it possibly could in favour of applicants. He would be pleased to look Into the points raised during the debate. The Bill was read a first time.
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Bibliographic details
Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19624, 19 October 1933, Page 8
Word Count
353EX-SOLDIERS Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19624, 19 October 1933, Page 8
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