The Star. Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanvy, Okaiawa, Eltham, Hangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Hanntahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1915. WAR PENSIONS AND INSURANCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 23 November 1915, Page 4

The Star. Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanvy, Okaiawa, Eltham, Hangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeho, Hanntahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1915. WAR PENSIONS AND INSURANCE.

The gathering which met at Wellington last week at the instance of the Government to debate questions relating to the scope and the administration of patriotic funds should lead to practical results. A great many suggestions were made to show in what manner assistance could best be given to the wounded and their dependents. We reprint in another column an outline of these suggestions, and the reception given to the recommendations by the delegates. A number of matters were settled, and settled on liberal lines: indeed after the conference some delegates considered they had perhaps committed themselves rather too far. Mr Masters, of Stratford, took that view, and was supported by Mr W. Ferguson, of Wellington. However that may be, t certainly no narrow spirit was shown. But the delegates having discharged their own duty, ventured to raise questions as to whether the Government had yet risen to a sense of the I national responsibility. The War Pen- ! sions Act came in tor a good deal of criticism. It was urged that it perpetuated a bad principle running through various branches of our pension laws, the penalising of people for thrift. The thrifty man or family received reduced benefit because of their thrift; the unthrifty was paid for his improvidence. Then it was objected that the pensions were uncertain in amount, and ultimately depended on the decision of a boards which in turn was restricted by the statute. Various anomalies were pointed out. It was shown that the law provided that the board could take into consideration not only the resources of the dependents, but the resources of those liable at law for their maintenance. The country by such a law, it was urged, evaded its proper responsibilities to the dependents of soldiers. The uncertainty of the amount of the pension to which there was a right— not merely a claim subject to adjudication —was spoken of as a serious deterrent to recruiting, because a married man who was offering his services naturally wished to know definitely what provision there would be for his family in the event of his disablement or death. This drawback, ii was urged, should be remedied. Then various anomalies in the rates of pensions were brought under notice. The Hon. Mr Myers admitted the force of the complaints raised, and promised that the matter should have early consideration at the hands of the Cabinet. It was made clear to him that there ought to be an amendment of the law, and he virtually promised his advocacy of such an amendment as would satisfy the public conscience in respect of the duty of the State to those who serve and suffer. Then another important matter was raised in a memorandum contributed by Mr James Macintosh on behalf of the War League He took the ground that all men going to the front should be insured. The insurance offices having no basis of calculation, for their own safety had constructed a schedule of premiums under which, as an instance, for a £250 policy £18 10s a year would be payable. Such rates are, Mr Macintosh holds, too high for the risk taken, and in any case quite beyond men's means. The scheme put forward in the memorandum provides for a 5 per cent premium. The working of such a scheme is thus figured out: "On this basis, then, £12 10s a year would have to be found for each man. Five hundred men a month at £12 10s —£6250—0r an annual expenditure of £75,000—0r Is 6d a head of the population. The proposal is that the Government take the risk at 5 per cent, per annum, and do the whole business, recouping themselves by a special rate (as in the case of hospitals), or that they announce that they will accept the risk and leave it to the public (or the individual himself) to find the money. The various patriotic socioties might very well take the matter in hand, or the newly-formed War League sanctioned by the Government. The idea would appeal to the public. Not only would a disability as far as married men be thus removed, but there would be reflex beneficial effects. (1) The real shirker would be more fully unmasked. (2) The single men hesitating would be impelled forward, and, finally, there would be less difficulty im recruiting." Mr Macintosh urges, 'and the contention appeals to one, that if the charges were put on the rates it would be so small that no one would object, and the Government would be protected against any loss. It seems a sound and acceptable scheme, and if adopted cumulative on certain pensions would strengthen the resolution of many waverers who are deterred from offering their services by thoughts of their family responsibilities.