WAR BONUS TO CIVIL SERVANTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3149, 30 July 1917, Page 7

WAR BONUS TO CIVIL SERVANTS

Sir,—l see by the papers that Government is considering the giving o.f a war bonus to Civil Servant;, again this year. Nov, sir, if they do, it is to bo hupeu they will give it out to better advantage than was the case last year. I mean, tc give the people who are rearing of, sny, from three to six or seven of a family, and who are carrying more than thenfair sharo of tho burden of State, ana who are feeling the pinch of the high cost of living protty severely, something to help them. Last year a ,£ls bonus was given to married and .£7 10s. to singlo members of the service, drawing .£3OO and less per year. ' writer knows of several married men' whose wive* havo.no "encumbrances" to keep them at home also out- earning, who get the bonus; also singlo men drawing in to .£300,' who also, participated. Whilst on the other hand., there were numbers just pier -the limit fixed .with largo families who could havo done very well with a bonus, and it makes one wonder whether Government ever considered tho man with a.family. What I would suggest, if it is intended to give a bonus this year, is to give it out on a family basis, irrespective of salary—say -i'o for each child that lias not 'readied fourteen ,years. It would bo an easy mat tor for each division to get a list" of children, anil if it was found that the sum I havo named was too high, then'something lower could be paid. Thanking you for space.—l am, etc., CIVIL SERVANT. July 28, 1917.