War Pensions Compared With Those of M.P.’s

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 March 1948, Page 4

War Pensions Compared With Those of M.P.’s

The action of the Government in providing a si roerannuation scheme for members of Parliament, which, it was reported allowed members £4OO a year on retirement, was strongly criticised at the quarterly meeting of me Wanganui R.S.A. . . x . “It is felt most strongly by this association that war pensioners who have been disabled and crippled in the service of their country and are physically debarred from earnin ß any additional remuneration, should receive much less than a Member of Parliament who may retire from politics, after only nine years of service, with a superannuation in excess of the disabled war veteran,” read a statement from the executive of which the meeting approved. „ “By this superannuation scheme Parliament has given its assessment of the service of a war veteran. The reward of a soldier crippled in action has been determined by the Government at less than a politician discredited by the electors and dismissed after nine years in the House.” „ “Personally, I think it is a scandal, said the president (Mr H, R. Gilbert!). A man who has a 100 per cent, disability receives a pension of £3 a week, and, if he is married, gets another £ 1 a week for his wife. Some, but not all, receive an economic pension, which makes their total pension £6 5s a week. Members of Parliament can retire on £8 a week.” Mr Gilberd doubted whether the Government would remove this legislation, but it could be used as a means to raise the level of pensions for men permanently maimed in the defence of their country. He reported that the Wanganui attitude, in the form of a remit, had been communicated to 35 branches and of these 19 were 100 per cent, in support of it. In one or two cases the branches had thought it too strongly worded. Voices: It is not strong enough.