WAR PENSIONS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 167, 11 April 1932, Page 10

WAR PENSIONS

Scale of Reductions

PROVISIONS OF BILL

Important Exemption

DISABLED EX-SERVICEMEN

Apprehension caused through interpretations of the provisions of the National Expenditure Adjustment Bill relating to war pensions reductions prompted the issue of an official statement on the Government’s proposals on Saturday.

“The Bill provides for a reduction of per cent, in the pensions of dependants and guardians of children with the exception of pensions to the widows, children, and widowed mothers of deceased members of the forces whose pensions are retained at the present rate,” the statement read. “The disablement pension of ex-soldiers is not affected by these reductions, which apply mainly to their wives, children, and parents. “In addition to the disablement pensions of ex-soldiers and the ordinary pensions of war widows, their children and widowed mothers of deceased members of the forces, there are payable economic pensions in these classes. The ex-soldier’s economic pension of 30/weekly, which was reduced to 27/- weekly since June 1, 1931, is further reduced to 21/- weekly, and the economic pension of the widow of 10/- weekly for the first child, plus 2/6 weekly for each additional child, is reduced to 8/- . weekly, plus 2/- weekly. '

“A widowed mother of a deceased member of the forces may receive an economic, pension of 20/- weekly, in addition to her ordinary pension, and this economic pension is reduced to 16/weekly.”