THEIR RIGHTS

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXI, Issue 8833, 14 October 1942, Page 3

THEIR RIGHTS

SOLDIERS’ MINISTER’S EXPIATION LETTER TO MR J./HORN, M.P. I am in receij/of your letter - of September if >n which you raise several quf t ' ons in connec ' tion with the pa' nent of war pensions. So W the executive of the Returned jrvices Association at Te Aroha'nay be advised of the position/ now submit my remarks on tjr particular questions raised,” wr^ s the Hon. F. Jones to Mr J. 'horn, M.P., on matters raised atJ»e recent discussion between y Thorn and the local R.S.A.,states an article in the Te At’ha News. “1. T<' s query concerned the fact that af-r medical examinations were carrie/out, pensions were sometimes reduce or withdrawn altogether. As in a previous letter, it is not Jsual to give any detailed expiation of the reason for reduction j n i disability pension, as such a pensio* by its nature varies in accordance with the extent of the disablement brought about 'by the pensioned condition. In consequence if the medical evidence shows that there has been an improvement in health this is reflected in the rate of pension subsequently to be authorised. Report Is Confidential

“You suggest that the pensioner should receive notification at examination of the likely effect on the pension of the examiner’s report. While the examiner may advise the pensioner of his findings insofar as they affect the physical condition, his report is confidential to the War .Pensions Board which deals with each case in the light of this medical evidence and determines the rate of pension subsequently to be paid. “Perhaps this matter has been brought forward, not so much with regard to the disability pension, but to the wives, economic and dependants pensions which are paid in supplementation of the disability grant. As a general rule the board makes a practice of making any reduction effective from the first day of the month following that on which the decision is made and this ensures that the pensioner does, in most cases, receive ample notification of any reduction.

Disablement Percentages “2. The second question you ask is in relation to the rates of pension for members who suffer loss of limbs. For specific disabilities the rates of pension are set out in the Third Schedule of the War Pensions Amendment Act, 1917. These rates are expressed in percentages of the maximum disability pensions and the main type of case is given in the following table:—

“Loss of two limbs, 100 per cent.; loss of both hands, 100 per cent.; loss of sight, 100 per cent.; amputation leg through hip joint, 90 per cent.; amputation arm through shoulder joint, 85 per cent.; amputation arm through elbow, 80 per cent.; amputation leg through knee joint, 80 per cent.; amputation arm below elbow, 75 per cent.; amputation leg below knee, 75 per cent.; amputation hand, 65 per cent.; loss of one eye, 50 per cent.

“For a full list of such specific injuries I would refer you to the Act itself, but no doubt the above schedule will be sufficient for your purposes.

Long Hours and Great Responsibility

“You state that the Association in Te Aroha'is concerned with regard to the unsympathetic attitude of the Departmental enquiry officers. I can assure you that it is always the policy of the administration to have every applicant accorded sympathetic consideration and I lind it hard to understand the basis of this criticism. Perhaps it may be accounted for by the fact that many of the experienced Departmental officers are now serving with the forces and those remaining are called upon to work extended houfs and to accept greater responsibility with a result that in some instances there may be cases where it has not been practicable to give a full explanation of the reason for the enquiry. Perhaps also the feeling of resentment has been brought about by a lack of knowledge of the actual provisions of the War Pensions legislation and the conditions under which pensions are payable. “It is true that in determining the disability grant itself no account is taken of the income or property of the member. The pension is assessed purely with regard to the extent of the disablement. However, if a claim is made for an economic and wife’s pension to supplement such disability pension, it is necessary for the War Pension 'Board to have a full and detailed statement of the economic position before such a claim may be dealt with. “It is very difficult to answer such a general statement of complaint and if any instance comes to the knowledge of the Association at Te Aroha, I would be pleased to receive a report when I will immediately have the matter investigated. “3. The suggestion that the pensions for widows and children of deceased soldiers should be- increased has already been taken up by the Dominion Executive of the Returned Services Association and this Association will be informed of the Government’s decision in due course.”