TENSIONS DISCUSSED.

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 September 1917, Page 2

TENSIONS DISCUSSED.

A COMMITTEE OiTOKTUNITY. TJIE COUNT!! Y’S LIABILITY• l.V5y Electric Telegraph—Special to "Star."] WELLINGTON, This Day. The House of Representatives considered the War Pensions Bill hi committee last night, ■when members seized the opportunity to make brief speeches on the general principles of tlie measure. It was phrased as an improvement on the former Act, but a number of members criticised the inadequacy of the children's allowance of 7s 6d weekly. The Minister of Defence said that the pension and disablement schedules would be again submitted h> the Cabinet with the Second Division League’s, suggestions! regarding the motor, patrol men and the English reservists resident in New Zealand. The Bill provided for them. A proposal that their dependents he allowed to take advantage of the Financial Assistance Heard was under consideration. r J his Hoard had made grants totalling over £(50,000 annually. It constituted a. very ready means' of assistance for the »;eoond Division men. The Board paid insurances but it had, owing to the abuse of the system, to limit the amount to £3OO on any soldier’s policy. None of the grants had to he repaid. It must lie remembered in, considering the children's allowance that the Bill provided for both while in the case of a, widow her allowance in respect, to the first child was increased by 10s. 1 he Pensions Board was doing excellent work in administering the Act in the most liberal spirit. No A] 'peat Board was necessary. Mr. Hornsby : I'm a soldier on (be B'>ard. The Minister: J have no objection ji! a soldiers' representative on the Board. 'There is a conflict between returned soldiers and the Second Division whether a Returned man should he appointed. Probably we will appoint a returned soldier when we can get one. * Members expressed, a desire to disieiissi, allowances, but the chairman ruled them out as nothing about Urn subject m the Bill. The Premier promised to give the House a full opportunity to discussing allowances: by placing the regulations <\i the table before gazetting. Members would have an opportunity of moving amendments. Sir Joseph Ward warned the House against piling up burdens without giving the Government a firmer increase of taxation. There were proposals in the Bill add in connect’ou with other items which meant at least £3,000,000 beyond the amount of the unexpected balance at the end of the year. If the House wanted more pensions, let if first put the taxation right. Mr. Field (Nelson) supported increasing the children's allowance to HD (id. He contended that no pension should he refused to a soldier’s dependents through his misconduct. Mr. Massey spoke at midnight, com. plaining strongly of members not ‘"laying the game.” If they forced (lie position the Government would oblige them with an election just as ouickly as possible. The Boundaiy Commissioners would finish their work on Saturday and the elections would ho on the new boundaries.

At 1.50 the discussion andod and the three clauses were passed. The House rose at. 2 a.in.