R.S.A. EXECUTIVE MAKES REPORT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18182, 15 June 1927, Page 7

R.S.A. EXECUTIVE MAKES REPORT.

REFERS TO ARTIFICIAL LIMBS QUESTIONS. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. June 14. Reviewing the past year's work of the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the Dominion executive committee states that “ broadly it may be said that there lias been a notable increase in the number of individual cases placed before the association, also that problems connected with such cases are becoming more difficult to solve. Without doubt ex-service men are realising more and more the benefit of the organisation. For years the N.Z.R.S.A. has done its utmost to alter the Government’s viewpoint with regard to pensions to wives and widows of returned men, but without success.” Regret is expressed that last year again the association was , unable to secure amending legislation desired in regard to (a) payment of pensions to widows of soldiers who died as a result* of their war disabilities irrespective of whether there was predeparture engagement to marry or not, and (b) payment of pensions to disabled soldiers’ wives and children irrespective of the date of marriage. Protesting against the seveji-yjear time limit in the 1923 Act amending the 1915 War Pensions Act, the executive committee comments on the reply of the Minister of Defence to representations made by it, “so that the benefit oflthe doubt clause which the N.Z.R.S.A. fought so hard to obtain in 1923 will not operate in connection with an application for war pension lodged over seven years after discharge. There must be no doubt about the establishment of such claim. If there is any doubt at all the decision will not be for the applicant; it will be against him. Anyone who has had anything to do with a claim for war pension knows that the benefit of the doubt going to the applicant is the saving of a great number of cases. To remove this clause means that the difficulties surrounding a claim for pension on the grounds of attributability in future will be greatly increased.” With reference to the artificial limbs question the report states: “The contract for the supply of metal limbs expires shortb r and the Government is calling for tenders for the manufacture of about five types of an entirely new metal limb. Headquarters immediately sought details of the specifications of such limb, and was surprised to discover that the limb had not been assembled in any one of its various types, even for experimental purposes. The closest consideration is being given to this matter, and strong representations will be made to the Minister of Defence. The executive reports that during the year no progress has been made in respect to questions of land and rating. “ The resolutions of the last Dominion Council meeting were duly considered by the Minister of Lands, and, without, giving actual details of the reply, it may be stated that none of them was agreed to. The position with regard to the Discharged Soldiers’ Settlement Act is almost identical with that stated in your Dominion Executive Committee’s last annual report. Advances for houses are restricted to disabled men of 50 per cent or more disability, while the limited surplus funds are still urgently needed to assist soldier settlers.”