SOLDIERS' PAY AND ALLOWANCES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2990, 30 January 1917, Page 6

SOLDIERS' PAY AND ALLOWANCES

Sir,—While all this noise is being made about the increased allowances to soldiers, I am wondering how a single man with dependants gets on. Can you tell me? I understand a man who is single, but who supports or helps to support his mother .(and possibly sister) gets only the usual ss. a day, with Is. per day extra allowance on behalf of the mother if she has no other income (but I may bo wrong). It is impossible for- a man to make any allowance out of his private's pay of 355. weekly when he is in New land, where there is so much to do with his small pay: train fares to be paid, canteen "luxuries," certain articles of clothing, etc., to he purchased ont of his own pocket, etc. Of course, when he is at the front lie would not need perhaps so much. "Why does not the Government recognise that singlo men with possibly several dependants have as much right to compensation in this respect as the married man with one child?—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY TO 'ALL.

"Wellington, January 18, 1917. [A married man receives the same pay as a singlo man. but his wife receives a separation allowance of 7s. _ a week, with ss. a week for each child under the nsre of sixteen years. The separation allowance of 7s. a week is paid to a mother if she is dependant upon her soldier son. It is quite possible for a -private to make an allowance to a dependant put of his pay, while he is in New Zealand. Many hundreds of men are making allowances at the present time. The private soldier receives 355. a week and all necessary food and clothing are.j>rovided by the State. He mav choose to buy buttons, breeches, and puttees, but the total outlay will amount to about £2, and the expense will not recur.]