WAR PENSIONERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 205, 29 August 1936, Page 22

WAR PENSIONERS.

INCREASED BENEFITS. '* RESTORATION OF>OLD RATES.(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The increases in economic pensions *\ are made retrospective to July 1 in the War Pensions Amendment Bill. It provides that the Board may, at Its discretion, grant to any member of the Expeditionary Forces, who is in receipt of a pension under the principal Act of 1915 in respect of his total 01 partial disablement, an economic pension not exceeding 25/ a week. This represents an increase of 4/ on the 21/, tc •which the pension was reduced by the National Expenditure- Adjustment Act of 1932, and of 2/5 on the increased amount granted last year. The original rates of all other economic pensions are restored to the rates in force prior to the cuts imposed in'l932. The maximum rate of the pension granted to a widow of a member'of the forces, with one child,, shall be 10/ a week, '■ and for every additional child .2/6 a "week. The extra maximum rate payable to a widowed mother, of a member of the forces, is 20/ a week, arid the maximum income allowed to an applicant £2 10/ a week in the case, of a total dependant, and -35/ a week in the case of a partial dependant. The maximum' rate of any additional pension payable to a widow is restored to a 15/ ■week. A provision is also inserted extending the period during which a member of the forces might marry, so that his wife can be eligible for a pension in the event of his death. The marriage, instead of seven years after discharge, will be recognised for pension purposes if it takes place prior to August 1, 1930. % A special provision is inserted in relation to the computation of war veterans' allowances, and the Pensions Board is empowered to apportion a war veteran's allowance between a veteran, his wife and children, if necessary.