SOLDIERS' DEPENDANTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16026, 18 September 1915, Page 5

SOLDIERS' DEPENDANTS.

ALLOTMENTS QUESTION.

TERM OF CONTINUANCE.

ARRANGEMENT EXPLAINED.

Under the War Pensions Act allotments to dependants are continued for a period of 26 weeks after the reported death ot the particular soldier, provided that evidence is given of dependency. It lias been found that these remittances are not always immediately forthcoming, and the matter has been the subject of representations made to the Defence Department by Mr. V. J. Larner, chairman of the Soldiers Relief Committee. It was askeu by Mr. Lamer that on the death of a soldier payment under allotment orders should be continued until the Department was assured that there was 110 dependency. Ihe Minister for Defence, the Hon. James Allen, wrote in reply as follows " Payments under allotment orders are now being continued under section 21 of the War Pensions Act, • 1915. As compared with the Defence Act, 1909, the new Act considerably widens the scope of payments after casualties are reported, but you will notice that payments to dependants only are authorised. It is necessary, theretore, that some reliable evidence of dependency be obtained before payments can be continued. Proof of relationship is not now asked for. With every warrant for the last payment is sent a memorandum, advising the payee that if he or she is dependent on the soldier a statement should be furnished showing the position. If this statement is forwarded promptly It should reach the Defence Office before the next monthly payment is due, and no break in payment will then occur. The allotment is continued automatically to a soldier's widow when a note of the marriage is contained in the personal file. lam unable, however, to continue payment of every allotment, as they are frequently made in favour of relatives who are in no way dependent on the soldier. With regard to your suggestion that the relationship that the person to whom the allotment is made bears to the soldier shall be noted on allotment orders, instructions were sent to the camp authorities a considerable time ago for this to be done."

The memorandum referred to is as follows :—" In view of this reported casualty it _is regretted that the accompanying remittance must be regarded a-- Vie tinal payment under the allotment order given by the soldier, unless you are dependent upon the same for support, it you are dependent, kindly furnish a statement signed before a justice of the peace, setting forth your circumstances. *".i 3 statement should be forwarded to the Quartermaster-General (4), Defence Department, Brandon Street, Wellington, when it will receive prompt consideration. The Pensions Board will also be advised of the position." Mr. Larner has written to the Minister suggesting that a form of declaration be sent out with the memorandum that can easily be filled in, as he points out, some of the dependants may not grasp the meaning of the memorandum.