AID TO SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 44, 20 February 1918, Page 7

AID TO SOLDIERS

RESERVISTS PROTEST

ALLEGED BROKEN , PROMISES

TALK OF GENERAL ELECTION

REMARKABLE OFFICIAL CIR-

CULAR,

Strong disapproval was expressed at the special meeting of members of the Wellington Second' Division League last evening at the help to soldiers granted by the Soldiers' .Financial Assistance Board, and a demand was made for the re-opening of the whole question of both separation and special -allowances. The t meeting was held in the Masonic Hall, BoUcott-street, and was well attended, there being upwards of 100 members, including a fair number of ladies, present. Mr. K. *A. Armstrong, president of the league, presided. LEAGUE NOT AT ALL SATISFIED. I The chairman said the executive had I deemed it its duty to call members toj gether at this stage, as three ballots of the second division had already been I held, and Class A was now exhausted. He regretted to report that the oxecu- j j tive was not at all satisfied at the man- ' [ nor in which the interests of soldiers I and their dependents were being looked after iit the present time. They were sorry to state that no adequate provision was being made to keep the wives and children of soldiers in decent comfort. I They did not ask for luxuries; all they asked was that the wives and children of soldiers should be kept in ordinary decency. All would not be called upon to go, but those who did not should see that the dependents of those who dirl go were .properly provided for and their homes kept going. "TO DEFY THE POWERS OF : CAUCUS:" Regarding the Wellington North election, he desired to make the position of the league perfectly clear. That night's meeting was in nq way called in connection with the Wellington North contest. It did not concern them. .Members of the league had requested that it should enter the lists; the speaker, Ml 1. Toogood, and Mr. Chapnun had each been requested to stand, but they had declined to do so oil the ground that the welfare of our soldiers' wives and children was too sacred a thing, to hang on the result of a by-election. (Applause.) The executive considered that they were acting in the- best interests of members of the league and of Second Division reservists generally in taking up this attitude. They could only make one real test of the feeling of the country on this all-important question, and that was a general election. (Applause.) They hoped there would be no necessity I for that, but he could say that it was in the hands of members "of the House and Cabinet to say whether justice was to be done, or whether the members of the league would be forced to press the issue to a general election. (Applause.) They had it in their power if it came to tlie_ point—they were sufficiently organised fjpr that—to so place their case before the country as to defy the powers at caucus. (Applause.) WILLING TO PLAY,THE GAME. Sir James Allen, he said, had stated' that he was not afraid to call up members of the Second Division. He was quite right in saying so,, because the I Second Division had always said they | were prepared to go, and they maintained that attitude. So far as Second Division reservists were concerned, they were willing to play the game, but they were going to see to it "that the game was also played by the authorities. (Applause.). To say that the ScoI ond Division was not going was nonsense. It was true that, owl ing_ to circumstances already fully explained .that the 1 date of the first of the Second Division going into camp had been postponed, but if this country was going'to play its propel- part the Second Division would have*to go, in its turn. [ No pressure, he emphasised, had been brought to bear by the Second Division to bring about any such postponement, but be suggested that if pressure had been brought to' bear it was by the financial interests of the country, who were afraid to bear the cost. (Applause.) QUESTION OF LIFE INSURANCE. The Chairman proceeded to quote typical cases as showing the mannn'*.- in ■which financial assistance was being granted. He prefaced these by quoting a letter dated 31st January, 1918, written by the Minister of Defence to the Second Division League. In this letter the Minister stated that the policy of the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board with respect to life insurance was as follows :—"The board will consider the payment of insurance premiums and war loading (if any) on the full-sum assured under policies taken out some time prior to the date of the enlistment of the soldier, or to his being called up in the ballot, subject, of course, to his financial circumstances warranting ai grant under the Soldiers' Financial Assistance ReguJ lations. In the ca?!-j of new policies up to £200 only, the board is prepared to" consider payment of the ordinary' prei mining arid the war loading, where there j is no existing policy, and where the cirt cumstances warrant a grant of financial I assistance. Several grants have been made to meet premiums on new policies/ [ and the board has only declined to authorise payment of premium in those cases where the financial circumstances of the applicant, in the opinion of tlJe board, did not warrant a grant." SOME TYPICAL CASES. They would see, said Mr. xlrmstrong, j how the terms of that letter were being fulfilled. The cases he quoted were as j follow:-^-Case I.—Reservist drawn in Second J Division ballot. Applied for financial assistance for recurring obligations (over and above living expenses) totalling £2? j 15s 4d; also asked re new life policy for £200. Board replied stating: " With reference to your request for payment of your premium on a new life insurance policy for £200, I regret to inform you that the board has no authority to grant assistance toward the payment of any but existing obligations." Information supplied as requested, and final reply from the board stated " regrets that it cannot authorise^ any financial assistance in your case." Applicant working on wages, and his wife will have no income other than' his -military pay allotment and allowance.

Case 2.—Reservist volunteered- before the first Second Division ballot. Applied for financial assistance for recurring obligations (in excess of living expenses) totalling £60 13s lOd. Board replied: "Took into consideration full circumstances, 'bat regrets that it cannot authorise any financial assistance. Board suggests you should arrange for. payment of principal to be deferred during your military service, and your wife should then be able to meet recurring obligations out of her allotment and allowances without any undue hardship." After meeting obligations, £75 19s 6d (£1 9s per week) left- for wife, who is in delicate health, to keep her home going, feed and clothe herself, etc., keep place in repair, and meet regular medical expenses. Case 3,—Husband ordered camp 6th March. .Wife aiy?lied.f.oi?.financial-aeeißt-

ance, rent 15s per week, also 'new insurance policy. Board replied: In connection with life insurance, the board can only undertake consideration of existing obligations, and any further obligation incurred should be a matter entirely for your own arrangement. I would point put that any assistance granted by this board will be subject to your husband making an allotment of 3s 6d per day in your favour. Applicant replied: (1) Present income £3 18s per week and war bonus; (2) wife no income; (3) asked for further consideration re. insurance; (4) willing to leave 3s 6d a day to wife. ■ Board's final reply: ''Took into consideration full circumstances, but regrets that it, cannot authorise any financial assistance in your case." Case 4.—Reservist applied for financial assistance,^ premium arid war risk on-new polioy 6£ £200. Explained that could not carry, on policy unless grant rilade. Board's reply: "Cannot authorise any financial assistance iii your case." Case s.'—Civilian salary, £6 per week. Made application for financial assistance respecting rent arid insurances, totalling £60 7s Bd. Board replied regrets " cannot authorise any financial assistance in your casa." Applicant wrote: asking whether the board had not; made some mistake, as grants had been made to other similar applicants. Board replied application reconsidered and resolved to grant life, insurance premium, £7 11s 3d, adding, "the grant has been vauthorised subject to your making an allotment of 3s od per day in favour of your wife." Case 6. —Applied for: financial assistance, rent and life insurance, totalling £55 ss. Board granted : On account of rent, £13; insurance, £3 ss; total, £16 ss. Case 7. —Applied for financial assi^stanse respecting mortgage, rates, and insurances, totalling £42 ,4s 7d; civilian income, £254 10s; income 6f dependant after enlistment, £114. Board granted life insurance, £13 17s. Case B.—ill's. -, one child, husband on service, allotment and separation allowances, 7s per day. Applied for rent, 11s per week, £28 12s. Refused. Case 9. —Reservist's average wage, £4 per week; appealed with view of ensuring adequate financial assistance ; Appeal Board recommended .grant. Applied for rent (18s per week), £46 16s; life insurance, £16 13s sd; total. £63 9s sd. Granted : insurance. £16 13s sd; rent on. account, £13; total,. £29 "13s sd. This means that reservist's wife, who is an invalid, will have £112s 6d per week for all purposes, after paying balance of rent. '.-'"'' ' GIVEN. AND TAKEN AWAY. Case 10.—Mrs. -» ,\three children. Husband volunteered. ■ Applied for assistance, rent of. rooms 13s per week. Board made grant September, 1917: Rent 13s per week, £33 16s. Found just before husband! sailed that, an old insurance policy could, be renewed if war risk Were paid. -Made application tp the_F.A. Board, -which replied: "The resolution conveyed to you in my letter of sth September last was rescinded, and in lieu thereof a fresh grant was authorised, as follows: Rent (on acccimt), £13 per annum; life insurance (including war loading), £23. 12b ; total £35 12s. Applicant wrote asking whether mistake had not been made, as she found "it hard to believe that while giving me an increase for insurance they immediately deprive mo of any benefit by reducing my rent allowance by practically the same amount." Board replied: "You have apparently omitted to take into consideration the fact that your separation allowance has been increased as from Ist January, by 2s per day arid the allowance made on behalf of your children by 9d per day, or a total of £50 3s 9d per annum. In view of this,'yon will' have no difficulty in understanding the attitude and decision of the Board." .Case 1.1 (reservist).—Applied for financial assistance: Instalments on loan £18, life assurance £6 ss, rent £58 10s; total, £72 15s. Board granted: Part instlirients on.loan £12,\life; assurance £6 ss-; total, £18 ss. Applicant asked for reconsideration. Board granted additional £26 per annum on account of rent. Even then wife has, with separation allowance arid allotment, only £1 9s 6d per week. Case 12 ' (comparative).—Reservist 'apiplied for financial assistance: Rent £78^ life assurance 1 £26 Is 6d, fire insurance 18s 8d; total £105 0s 2d. Board granted: Rent (on account) £52, insurance £26;' total £78. On .' further representations applicant got ah ilia-ease to £86 16s lOtl. The Chairman stated that the board, in its reply in one case, inferred that the wife could go out to work. He cited the last exariiple as showing that the board was fairly liberal in some cases. He complained also of delay in many cases. .. ■ . ■ . CIRCULAR RESCINDING PREVIOUS •V GHANT&. • " Now/ 1 he said, "I come to the most shocking experience we have Had. yet." The details he quoted were as follow:— " Mrs. , three children (one born after husband left). Husband left with sth Reinforcements. Wife, went to work to keep home going.- When Financial Assistance Regulations were. brought down in. January, 1917, she applied for house rent, and was granted £39 per annum .in April, 1917. For two years she had to struggle on as best she could. Now F.A. Board has notified her tliat this grant has been rescinded. The notification is on a printed form indicating that, the board contemplates a wholesale rescindment of grants made- in view of the increased separation allowances. The form, which is 1 printed, with spaces for names and amounts of grants is as follows :—

"Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board. Wellington,. .1918.

"Dear , —ln view of the increased separation allowances payable to you A>y the Defence Department as from the Ist January, 1918, the board, after carefully reconsidering your case, has decided to rescind itfi existing grant of

1 "in arriving, at this determination the board held that iti accordance with your present circumstances the above mentioned obligation can-now be met by you without any undue hardship, and has instructed the War Expenses Department to discontinue payments. "Yours faithfully, "S. J. Wills, Secretary."

They were getting other cases like this, sci the c;rr-! ; ' -r appeared, to be one that was being* a*nt out generally. That was the reply to the iiicreased separation allowances they had gained. "Xotv," said Sir. Armstrong^ "yoit will see that so far as the granting of financial assistance is co'ncerne'd,_not only is there inconsistency but that the""statements made to us by Caiinefc Ministers and to the House that there was no -need to make the separation allowances we asked for because of the special provisions have not been fulfilled. The promises jnade have been broken. Are we going to stand that?" (Criefi of "No" and applause., They might tiofc go themselves, but they must stand by the' dependents of those who. had gotie or were going. (Prolonged applause.)

"NOTHING-LESS THAN. BLUFF." Mr. H. ■ .F." Toogood moved :—

"That this meeting of ihenibers of the Second Division. League emphatically protests against the action of the Financial Assistance Board in rescinding grants of financial assistance oil the ground that the separation allowances have been increased/ aiid calls upon the' Minister, of Defence to'take'imnie->' diate steps to protect the interests of our sdldtes' oft service and their dependents by instructing the board (q take

no further action along'these lines and by reinstating such grants a3 may already have been cancelled." He pointed out that -when they asked for a separation allowance of Cs a day for a wife they were told this was riot necessary, because the Financial Assistance Board would see to it that soldiers' dependents would not suffer. He believed the Government then, but he did not do so now. Th\i whole of the ■financial'assistance, regulations 1 had been shown to be nothing less than bluff. The motion was seconded arid tarried uriariiriiously.

OFFICIAL IN A DUAL CAPACITY Mr. C. H. Chapman, moved :— "That this meeting of Second Division Reservists, having^fully considered the evidence of inconsistency in the grants made by the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board, and the Board's failure to adequately interpret the regulations, urges upon the Government the necessity of hoidine an immediate and exhaustive enquiry into the manner in which the grants by the Board are determined, ■ and further urges the.fe leonstitution of trie Board, arid the establishment of Financial Assistance

Boards in-each of the chief provincial centres of the Dominion." He considered it was necessary that the xondition of. affairs that had been revealed should b& remedied- They should compel it, because they had been- too badly let down. :

.MivS; J. Wills, secretary,;of the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board, said that as a member of the Second Division League He would like to move an amendment. .'

The- chairnvra^advbed Mr. Wills that iv vie\v of his official capacity W should 1 not.do so.'-'' '" .'' '

Protests, against Mr. Wiils's aetitfn came from various parts of. the hall, but the chairman said that while tendering .his advice he would, nevertheless take an amendment from Mr. WiUs. as a member oi the league if he still wished to move one.

Mr. Wills : I will move it as a membo 'of the league. I move as an amendment that the following words be added to the motion :—-

"After a special..suE-committee.lias waited on the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Boa*d,, has submitted definite proposals for a more liberal interpretation of the regulations, and has obtained no satisfaction whatever that their proposals will be carried into effect,"

Mr. Levy seconded. Mr. Toogobc!said they Had previously dealt with Parliament. Why should they deal with a lesser body now?' ■• Mr. Wii's '• I moved the amendment in the interests of (he league, so.. that you.' could first satisfy yourselves. A member of the audience : Has it been the practice of the league to ignore the Financial Assistance Board altogether in ■ these matters? I take it that it is quite possible misunderstandings may Sciti*. in certain cases.

The chairman said the policy of the league was not to .go to the board in .individual cases. It might happen that they wei'e rectified purely 1 .(-cause the league. interfered, as was done when cases Were; takai up ';y members of Parlitnieht. They did not want that. The point they stood for was that these cases shotild not require remedying. They fcehsved.in going to the Minister to establish a particular principle, not in dealing with indiviixial cases which nught be rectified merely because they, as a league,.interfered. (Applause.) The amendment was lost, riot a hrfnd being raised in its fawur. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. CASE OF HOME SERVICE MEN. Mr. T. Smith moved :— ' ■

"That this meeting of members of the Second Division League expresses its regret' arid disappointment at the .reply of the Minister of Defence regarding payment of the increased scale of separation allowance's to" nje'h- on home ■ service who are actually" separated from their families^, 1, arid in view of the definite statement made by the Minister in Parliament , that there would" b^ no discrimination between , men of the home service and foreign, service branches, calls ; updn Government to fulfil the promise^so made in the cases of those men who are actually separated from their families arid who are in consequence not in receipt of rationing allowance." Ths. motion was carried. ■

Mr. J. F. Atkins moved :— "That this meeting of Second Division reservists strongly contends that the present scale of separation allowances is quite inadequate to secure the preservation of the homes .of our soldiers, and urges upon Government the necessity of reopening, this matter immediately upon the reassembly, of Parliament with a view to.increasing the allowances to wives and children*and making adequate provision for widowed mothers.".

Carried unanimously. , ■. ■ On the motion of; Mr. A. Brown, it was further unanimously resolved :— : "That this 1 meeting appoints the executive of the league as « deputation to wait upon the Minister of Defence and lay before him the resolutions carjried at this meeting, with an earnest request for immediate and effective attention." THE WELLINGTON NOBTH CONTEST.-. Mr. Evans brought forward a motion protesting against "the callousness of the Government" in dealing with members of the Second Division^ and urging all members in consequence to bring about the defeat of the National Government candidate nt the present by-election. Mr. Sutherland seconded. The Chairman urged the withdrawal of the motion, which, being political, was against the league's, whole policy. The mover refused to comply, whereupon tlie chairman ruled the motion out of order.. The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote of confidence in the league's executive and a vote of thanks to the I chairman;