WAR LOSSES ON THE COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16969, 1 October 1918, Page 4

WAR LOSSES ON THE COAST.

PENSIONS FOR DEPENDANTS,

Thb proposal that the dependants of the" officers and crew of the Wimmera,' or any other New Zealand mercantile vessel, who have lost their lives through enemy action, should, be admitted to the benefits of the New Zealand scheme of 'pensions, was submitted recently to ■ the 'Minister for Defence by the Mayor of Auckland, as the outcome of a meeting of citizens. •; The Minister has replied that the question has been referred to the Crown Law officers for an opinion, and will receive consideration, but since the dependants of the men of ■ the• mercantile marine lost by enemy action were apparently; provided for by the Imperial scheme of compensation,'the extension to them of the scheme.of New Zealand ■ pensions would, even /if; practicable, be- unnecessary. '■ ■ ' Z".'.'. -, In another letter to the Minister, Mr.. Gunson has urged that the point urged by him-., and by an Auckland -, deputation, which waited upon the Minister, has apparently been missed. '.For' New 1 Zealanders the Imperial scheme is not adequate, and therefore special = provision should be made to extend to the officers and men the benefit of ; the New Zealand scale, w»iich manifestly meant / supplementation of.the Imperial penaion. Mr.' Gunson expressed the hope that the matIter will be reconsidered. ■*'-v''''/■