RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15310, 10 August 1923, Page 6

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

SETTLEMENT & PENSIONS.

WAIKATO ItS.A. SUGGESTIONS.

AMENDING LEGISLATION CONSIDERED.

The provisions of the Discharged Soldiers' Settlement Amendment Bill and War Pensions Amendment Bill no\»nefore Parliament have been considered- by the executive of the "Waikato branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association. As the result, recommendations suggesting alterations on the lines indicated below have been forwarded to the Association's general secretary at Wellington for consideration by the Dominion Executive, and, if approved, to be brought before Parliament. In -connection with applications for reduction of rent, the matter to be forwarded to tire Dominion Board by the District Boards should, it is urged, include all relevant evidence tendered by the lessee (mortgagor) or on his behalf. The executive considers that as the'Dominion Board has to finally determine the question of reduction all evidence tendered- on behalf of the applicant should be laid fully before it The District Committee's function is to value and collect evidence, and in the executive's opinion, the applicant should know that his evidence goes before the tribunal, who should decide with the help of comments from the District Committee whether it shall be acted on or not. In connection with reduction of mortgages, the executive thinks that in determining by what amount (if any) a mortgage shall-be reduced the Dominion Board should also take into regard the value of the improvements effected by tire" mortgagor. The suggestion is for the benefit of those men who by hard work or their own money have effected improvements.. on the land. ' il ■ # Concerning postponed payments or rent, interest, etc., it is desired that 'such postponed payments may remain postponed for thei original period to the event of a sale by a discharged soldier, with tire Minister's consent of his interest in such land to another discharged soldier*or if he dies and leaves his farm to his wife and family. -. It is also held that applicants should have the fight to have applications re-considered-if in the opinion of the Dominion Board they can produce fresh evidence on any'question"'affecting the revaluation. This suggestion is due to the executive's belief that the matter will be much rushed,- and that the hurried collection of evidence may 1 result In some cases of injustice unless this right is given. '■With regard to the war pensions amending legislation the executive expresses satisfaction, but it is considpred'jthat the grounds of appeal by any person whose pension is withdrawn, reduced or suspended, should be extended, and the War Pensions Board shoul be cut out altogether. '-The executive considers that this alteration would allow appeals to be heard as expeditiously and satisfactorily, as if there were the proposed Medical Appeal Board, and a saving to the country would be effective. The executive f ee|s that a magistrate's decision would be (preferable.