P.O.W. Sustenance Payments Opposed

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1949, Page 7

P.O.W. Sustenance Payments Opposed

WELLINGTON, Oct 3

Opposition of the payment of sustenance allowance to former prisoners of war for the period of their captivity was voiced by the conference of Commonw’calth cx-ser'/lcemen in Ottawa, said the Dominion N.Z.R.S.A. president, Sir Howard Kippenberger on his return to Wellington from the conference.

“The acceptance ano adoption of such a proposal would set a dangerous precedent,” said Sir Howard. “It would put a premium on being a prisoner of war if another war came, and would pave the way for claims for such things as danger money.” He added that the suggestion for the allowance had come from the Australian delegation. Apart from the South African delegatee, who preferred not to vote, ail present opposed the move

■“The New .Zealand delegates, view which was generally accepted, was liiat there might be a case for the payment of such allowance to men who escaped from captivity and who were moving behind the enemy lines for a period,” he said. “Otherwise there was no claim, because payment would put. former prisoners in a better financial position than those who were not taken prisoner.”