SOLDIERS' PENSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 220, 17 September 1938, Page 21

SOLDIERS' PENSIONS.

As pointed out by Mr. Sexton during the current debate in Parliament, the disabled soldier is the only pensioner who has not had a pension increase during the life of the present Government. In fact the amount of the soldiers' pension is exactly the same as it was when introduced 20 years ago. Even ardent Labour supporters will admit an increase in the cost of living. A totally disabled soldier can draw a maximum pension of £2 per week, and even with the additional economic pension at £1 5/ a week, he can draw only £3 5/- —considerably leas than the basic wage. Recently a worker was awarded a sum of over £3000 for the loss of a leg. lam sure no soldier objects to the amount awarded to the worker but I as one who is suffering a much greater disability than the loss of a leg am justified in regretting that I did not receive my injuries in a civil capacity rather than in the service of my country. The Government has promised an increase in the economic pension—next year. This is an admission that an increase is justified. Why not give the increase now and increase not the economic, but the ordinary pension. DIGGER VOTER.