N.Z. WAR GRATUITIES

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1946, Page 5

N.Z. WAR GRATUITIES

FOR DEPENDANTS OF DECEASED UNMARRIED SERVICEMEN. P.A. WELLINGTON, Feb. 14. The policy that will be followed in determining payment of war service gratuities in the case of unmarried deceased service personnel was .. stated to-day by the Minister of De- - fence, Hon. F. Jones, in response to an inquiry. The inquirer asked whether, before gratuity was paid in deceased servicemen's cases, would it ■ be necessary to prove that the ser- - viceman was supporting the applicant, either by way of allotment or by voluntary deductions from pay. The Minister said the regulations : provided that the Minister of Defence might grant a gratuity, oh part . of a gratuity to, .or for the benefit of such dependants of a deceased servicemen, or such other person, or persons, in such a manner and in such a proportion as the Minister thought fit. The Minister would consider individually every case, and the facts, as submitted, in each case • would guide him in his decisions. "Obviously,” said the Minister, "the claims of parents, both dependant on a serviceman prior to his death, and non-dependant, must be - taken into account; although cognisance will be taken of all other appropriate considerations.” The Minister added that it was not; * possible to say, beforehand, what decisions would be reached in any par- , ticular case. All who considered they had a just claim should make it in the prescribed form not later than " March 31.