The Nelson Evening Mail FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1915. MILITARY PENSIONS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 19 February 1915, Page 4

The Nelson Evening Mail FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1915. MILITARY PENSIONS.

IT is well that the public should realise fully the present position in regard to military pensions, for, under the Defence Act, ISO 9', the dependents of soldiers killed or maimed are shockingly provided for. The pension provisions are actually a repetition of the measure passed as far back as 1868, and most people will-be able to hnagine what that means. The "Post".'has''dealt fully with this very important matter, and has shown to the pjubliq in telling words, what the present position really is. It quotes, for instance, the rates prescribed for incapacitated non-commissioned officers and men,' as follows: First degree (men losing two limbs or both eyes from wounds or injuries, or being so severely wounded or injured as to be totally incapable of earning a livelihood, and to require the assistance, and care of some other person) : Sergeant, from. 2s 6d< to. 4s per day; corporal, from Is lOd to 3s. 4d per.day; private, from Is 6d to 3s per day. Second degree (men rendered incapable by wounds or injuries, of earning a livelihood, but jiot requiring the aid ..of another' person); Sergeant, 3s per'day ;' corporal, 2s od per day; private, 2s 2d per day. Third degree (men able to contribute towards earning a livelihood, but rendered by wounds or injuries mint for the ordinary duties of a soldier)i: Sergeant, from Is 3d. to 2s 8d per day; corporal, from Is to 2s 3d per day; private, 8d to 2s per day. If there is one thing more than another that New Zealanders are determined about in connection with the war, it is that those who have served their country shaill be'adequately provided for if on their return they are unable to follow ordinary , occupations; and they are also equally determined that the dependents of those who have fallen will not be brought face to face with want. All such must, ! and will, be adequately provided for. The "Post" also mentions the pensions th.it may be allowed the. children of N.C.O.'s and privates killed in action or who die of disease. . These range from £4 to £lO per year, or from Is 6£dto a little over 3s lOd per week. How is a widow under New Zealand conditions to keep a child on. that? And the only pension the widow of a non-com-missioned officer or private may receive is one of £3O per annum, or a little over lis 6d a week! . The figures speak for themselves.; . When the Minister is revising the pension provisions and bringing them up to date, and in accord, with the spirit of the times, we trust that if he. errs at all it will be on the side of liberality. No one j looks for payMenti, Jvvhen Undertaking, patriotic duty, and no monetary gift could meet the sacrifices made; but there is the clear and obvious duty of the community to keep maimed soldiers in comfort, and the fatherless from want. The Minister has promised to do the right thing, and the peppie will gladly bear the extra taxation necessary for the purpose. '•