EX-DIGGERS

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 215, 11 October 1929, Page 7

EX-DIGGERS

Per Press Association.

WORK FOR THOSE PARTIALLY "DISABLED. COMMITTEE TO INQUERE.

WELLINGTON, Last night. The order of reference for tlie inquiry which is to be held shortly into the question of prqviding such Work for partially disabled ex-service men as will eliable them to live without the aid of an economic pension has heen drafted, and tlie cletails will be announced by the Miliister of Defence in the course of a day oi* so.. In an interview, tlie Ministei" said that wliile he was not at present in a position to diselose tlie scope of the investigation lie could repeat what he liad already said in tlie House of Representatives, lianiely, that a careful inquiry would he macie into the condition and circumstances of those returned sokliers who were not pliysically able to maiutain tliemselves without assistanee from tlie State. It was clear tliat tlie comniission, in order to arrive at comprehensive rpcomnieiidations, would liave to travel tlie country and take evidence at tlie foxir centrds, which evidence .would be collected by the retumed soldiers' associations, who, in accordance with notifications received, were already preparing. for the coming of the connnission. The commission would also inquire into the position of Sbutli African and Maori War veterans, The Miliister said tlie commission would investigate tlie cases not only of men who were partially disabled hut of those who, though Ueither partially nor totally disabled, were as the result of war service unable to niaintain tliemselves. Tliis would, of course,meau classification, and he sliould expect to receive from the commission detailed reason for such classification. Whether or not after the commission had reported legislatioii would he required was a matter for consideration by the Government, The interests concerned were entering whole lieartedly into the very necessary examination and inquii'y. "While -the commission, in devisitig nieaiis of finding "suitahle employment for partially disabled ex-servicemeti, might relieve the Governiiient of certain annual expenditure, tlie result of the reconimendations of th6 commission might or liot mean any Savirtg to tlrt coiintry," coiicluded th'e Minister.