SECOND DIVISION

Grey River Argus, 30 May 1918, Page 2

SECOND DIVISION

CABINET'S DECISION. (tret Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 29. The Minister of Defence, in the eoursc. of a statement giving Cabinet's ! decision, avours that tho Second Division League says that the- present separation allowances are to stand. 'I he Government will give sympathetic consideration to improvements in repatriation scheme, particularly in respect to a returned soldier, vrhp, on discharge cannot bo placed in suitable employment. It may take some time to envolve a satisfactory scheme but every effort will be rnlde to remove any fear a soldier may have that oh his discharge he will, not be in a position to provide for himself wifeaud dependants. Provision has been mad© to. pay, a separation allowance to a dependant who tiding relatives of a soldier (other than wife, widowed mother, and. children}, equivalent to' amount, the soldier was provided with during the twelve months prior to his enlistment with a maximum 10s a week. Kegarding 'grants made by the Financial Assistance Board, the policy is to meet recurring obligations so that a minimum net income of £90 will be left tho wife. After rent is provided for the £90 is to. stand, but the Minister points out it is the minimum only, and for a wife without children the Government has definitely decided that the- -wife's earnings shall not bo taiten 'into .consideration ,when cosidering; , this minimum, because it wishes . to v jencouf age the wives of soMiers '.'. to take up occupations during the. iHsband V absence on service. The., question of pay and allowances being affected.. by misconduct of soldiers, : is^to receive further consideration regarding Cl men. Tho Minister says at present a Cl reservist of the- Second Division is treated as a fit. man and given, three, months between medical examination arid being called , to camp; tout requests, made are receiving . careful consideration aiid the League wilj be. further communicated with on the subject at tin early date. The Minister regrets that the request regarding the age limit for children .for pension be 18. years for aj male, and 21 years for a female, canj not be agreed to, but. points out that the pension payable to a felnalo child may if the; Board thinks fit [until the. age of 17 is reached, and tho l>ension payable to any, «hiid suffering from mental or „ bodily „ infirmity may, continUo for such -peridtl aa the Board tiiinks.fiti .; The; League proposal regarding the protection business Of ieseryists been submitted rto tfte National Efficiency Board; and the; question will again be discussed with rtie ■. Board at next meeting.