THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1919. THE WAR GRATUITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17270, 20 September 1919, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1919. THE WAR GRATUITY.

The most gratifying feature of the scheme of war gratuities announced by Sir James Allen is that it is based upon principles assured of general acceptance. The decision in favour of the flat rate for all ranks, the special provisions in regard to soldiers deceased on active service and those disabled by sickness or wounds, and the additional grants to New Zealanders who served in Imperial units, show that the plan has been drawn upon broad and generous lines. At the same time, the Government has taken the opportunity to remedy all the outstanding grievances in regard to pay and allowances and minor points in the pensions scheme which have at various times been represented to it by returned soldiers or their dependants. Briefly, the effect of the Government's proposals, in combination with previous measures, is that every New Zealander who served in the war will receive the same rate of pay, the same separation allowances and financial assistance, and the same rate of gratuity. Tlose who enlisted before the full development of the provisions in regarl to pay and allowances, or served in other forces at lower rates of Day, will now receive compensation for their earlier hardships. The details of the scheme bear examination as easily as its principles. The essential element is the rate of gratuity, and it is pleasing, though not unexpected, to learn from the. Minister for Defence that it was owing to representations by officers of the force that he decided to place all ranks upon the same footing. There is no doubt that this feature in particular will receive most cordial endorsement Nor is there now any occasion for discrimination between single and married soldiers. Provision for dependants has been made in other ways, including the present proposals for the. retrospective payment of allowances for children, widowed mother?, and other dependants, in addition to the payments already made to wives of soldiers. The gratuity is thus simply an expression of the country's gratitude to the soldier for his service in its defence. Irresponsible critics both within and without Parliament will

no doubt protest that the amount of the gratuity is too low. That view will not receive much support frojn the returned soldiers themselves, the great body of whom have throughout maintained a wholly admirable attitude on this question, neither offering suggestions nor pretending any " rights" in the matter. They have recognised that the gratuity is a free gift from the country, and will, there is little doubt, accept the Government's proposals in the spirit in which any gift is offered and accepted—not for its material value, but as an expression of the gratitude and the affection with which the country regards its soldier-sons.

The Government's proposals were announced in such detailed and lucid terms that no one who has given any thought to the matter could fail to understand immediately their full significance. Yet the Leader of the Opposition and his supporters adopted an uncompromising attitude of obstruction, and forced the Government to adjourn the application of the scheme indefinitely. The pretence that the matter should have been dealt with by legislation or by a vote upon the Estimates is absurd. Authority to pay the gratuity from the War Expenses Account was given by Parliament to the Minister for Defence last session, and the Government was under no obligation to consult members further. It would, of course, be easy for the Opposition to endeavour to persuade the Government to increase the gratuity, but such criticism loses its force from the fact that the matter has been under consideration for months, and the National Government was unable to reach an agreement upon it. The present Government, and Sir James Allen in particular, has the sole responsibility for the framing of the scheme and for the financing of it, and the great majority of returned soldiers and of the civilian population will agree that it has resolved a difficult problem in fair and generous terms. Had the Opposition been willing to give the Government the credit it deserves, the gratuity could have been paid within a few days. As it is, owing to the reservation of Tuesday for the delivery of the Financial Statement, the acceptance of the scheme by Parliament is delayed for a week, without any substantial benefit to anyone. Since Sir Joseph Ward has chosen to treat this matter as an opportunity for electioneering, the Government must look to the country itself for an impartial judgment. That can be expressed promptly and emphatically through the War Loan. Since nearly tjne whole amount of the loan will be required for the payment of the gratuity and outstanding pay and allowances, all who wish to join in the country's gift to its soldiers may do so directly by buying bonds or certificates, and, with this personal interest in the loan, its subscription should be quickly secured.