SOLDIERS' GRATUITIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17251, 29 August 1919, Page 6

SOLDIERS' GRATUITIES

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE. s EARLY ANNOUNCEMENT. 'PLEA FOR A "FLAT RATE.' [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] "WELLINGTON, Thursday. The keen, interest which all discharged soldiers feel in regard to the promised gratuity ensured that the question would ' crop up very soon after the meeting of the House of Representatives. This afternoon Mr, A. E. Glover (Auckland Central) was the first to introduce the topic, which he did by. asking leave to put a question without notice to the Minister for Defence. His plea was that the query was of such moment that he felt he was justified- in making the request. The ruling was that Mr. Glover must show that the question was one of great urgency. Mr. * Glover: The question is one of great urgency. Leave was eventually granted, and Mr. Glover invited Sir James Allen to say when the gratuity would be paid. The Minister replied that if Mr. Glover only exercised patience he would know within a very few days when the payment would be made. Another aspect of the question which is causing some concern was touched upon by Mr. J. B Kine (Stratford), who gave notice of a question embodying a suggestion that the payment should be a flat rate for all ranks. Mr. Hine himself will be a recipient of the gratuity, and if there will be a distinction for rank he will re- [ ceive the rate attaching to his rank of major. Apart from the assurance given by the Minister, inquiries show that the Government has the whole question of the gratuity well forward, and hopes to be able to make an announcement when the House meets on Tuesday.