WAR VETERANS.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 19622, 1 February 1936, Page 3

WAR VETERANS.

PENSION ALLOWANCES.

Numerous Applications.

BENEFITS OF NEW ACT

“BURNT OUT” EX-SOLDIERS

(Special to •'Star.”)

WELLINGTON, Feb. 1

An important extension of the pensions principle for the benefit of returned soldiers was adopted by Parliament last October, when it passed the War Veterans’ AUoavances Act. This enabled lhe Pensions Department to deal with a difficult but deserving class of applicant Avho could not be recognised under the former legislation. The Act enables alloAvanecs to be grahted to ex-members of the New Zealand Forces, including the South African Contingents, Avho served Avith units Avhieh Averc actually engaged Avith the enemy, and Avho are noAV unfit for permanent employment. The legislation involved an important provision, that it Avas not necessary for the applicant to prove that the disability was due to Avar service.

Applications came to the Defenco Department in large numbers, and they Avere decided by the War Pensions Board, subject to appeal to the Pensions Appeal Board. Up till the end of December the Pensions Board had granted 235 applications, but there Avere many left to be dealt Avith oAving to the large number received Avithin a short date. The amount involved in the applications granted cannot at present be stated, but, as an indication of the probable cost of an extension of the pensions principle, the Budget of last session estimated the annual cost of £30,000. AlloAvanc-es are paid at the rate of £1 per Aveek to unmarried men, while married applicants are paid £l, Avith an additional 15/- per Aveek in respect of Avife, and 5/- each in respect of depen dent children.