POLICY ANNOUNCED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21947, 15 February 1946, Page 4

POLICY ANNOUNCED

GRATUITY PAYMENTS

DECEASED SERVICEMEN (S.R.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 14. The policy that will be followed in determining the payment of gratuities in the case of unmarried deceased service personnel was given to-day by the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones, in response to an inquiry. The Minister said that the regulation which covered the matter provided that the Minister of Defence may grant a gratuity or part of a gratuity to or for the benefit of a dependant or dependants of a deceased serviceman or such other person or persons in such manner and in such proportions as the Minister thought fit in exercise of the discretionary power vested in him. The Minister of Defence would consider individually every case where the payment of the gratuity for deceased unmarried servicemen was concerned. The facts as submitted in each such case would guide the Minister in his decisions. Obviously the claims of parents, both dependent on the servicemen prior to his death and non-dependent, must be taken into account, although cognisance would be taken of all other appropriate considerations.

“This outlines the policy in general terms,’.’ added the Minister. “It is not possible to say beforehand what decision will be reached in any particular case.

“All those people who consider themselves to have a just claim to payment must make application not later than March 31 next.”