Gratuities Not Before Middle of Next Year

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 265, 9 November 1945, Page 4

Gratuities Not Before Middle of Next Year

QUARTER MILLION FILES TO BE EXAMINED (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 8. Although draft regulations had been prepared governing the system of payment for gratuities, it appeared at present that it would be impracticable to make any payments’ before the middle of next year, said the Minister of Finance (Hon. Walter Nash) in the House of Representatives this afternoon. He was answering an urgent question by Mr. A. S. Sutherland (Hauraki), who had asked tho Minister to indicate when his jiromised statement on the method and date of payment of"gratuities would be made, to enable recipients to plan their future financial commitments. -Mr. Nash said draft regulations had been completed, but a number of points required clarification after discussion with the Services and others interested. The payment of gratuities involved the examination of the files of every serviceman and servicewoman and the opening of a separate account for each one of them. The work had been held up for some time, because Base Records had been engaged in demobilisation work which had to take precedence. On the present indications, it appeared that it would be impracticable to make any payment before the middle of nex‘t year. Mr. Sutherland: That's stretching it out a bit. Mr. Nash said there would be separate accounts and the work involved was immense. Mr. Jones would make a statement later, giving details of how the payments would be made. Asked by Mr. G. H. Maekley (Masterton) if the payments would be spread over a term of years, Mr. Nash replied that that was the original proposal. This was among the problems to be discussed. However, the full amount would be available if an exserviceman wanted it for some capital purpose which would not put the money into circulation in the ordinary way. Mr. 8. W. Smith (Bay of Islands): Who decides that? Mr. Nash: Generally it would be the Minister of Defence, but I suppose lie will appoint officers to whom power will be delegated. Mr. Nash added that, if the money were required for furniture, mortgage payments, etc., the full amount would be available in one sum. Perhaps there would be something better still for those who did not use their monev in that way. Mr. .Sutherland: A bit tough, I think.