WAR PENSIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23139, 10 September 1938, Page 15

WAR PENSIONS

PROMISED ALTERATIONS SECTION IN FINANCE BILL EXTENSION OF ALLOWANCES [nV TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday Tho promised alterations with regard to war pensions are made in a section of the Finance Bill which was introduced by Governor-General's Message in t.lii' House of Representatives to-day. Increases in pensions and allowances will come into force on April 1 next yea r.

.The maximum rate of economic pensions granted to disabled members of the forces is extended to .'3os a week, and it is also 'provided that stepchildren and adopted children will be classed as dependants if they became members of the pensioner's family before August 1, 1!K!0. The rates of allowances under ®lhe War Veterans' Allowances Act aro also increased. In the case of a veteran who has no wife or dependent children, the allowance will be at the rate of £OS a year, diminished l(v £1 for every complete £1 of annual income in excess of £52.

]u every other case tho allowance will be at tho rate of £65 a year in respect of the veteran's personal claim, with additions of £.'39 a year in respect of a wife and £l3 a year for each dependent child. The same income limitations will apply and the total allowance to any family must not exceed £l5O a year, although in special cases an extension may be granted np to a maximum of £lB2 a year.

Authority is also given for the payment of forfeited allowances to dependants when a veteran is in a prison or public institution, while allowances in respect of children may be continued beyond the ago of 1G years for educational purposes, although they will ceaso at the ago of IS years. There is a further provision by which veterans of the South African War will qualify for allowances.

GOVERNMENT SERVICE MINIMUM RATES OF PAY NEW PROVISION MADE FIXING BY ORDER-IN-COUNCIL [I)V TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday Provision for fixing by Order-in-Council minimum rates of remuneration for adult and married officers in the Government service is contained in the Finance Bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day. The new scheme will cover the Public Service, the Railway Department and the Post and Telegraph Department.

It is provided that where the minimum remuneration prescribed by Order-in-Couneil exceeds the salary to which an officer is entitled under any scale the difference will bo paid to him in the form of an allowance.

Any allowances already granted in this manner are validated.

A MINISTER'S FILM METHODS ON PUBLIC WORKS PARTY PROPAGANDA ALLEGED [bv TEI.EOnAPH —-SPKCIAL RErOIlTF.lt] WELLINGTON, Friday The practice of the Minister oi Public Works, the Hon. R.. Scmple, in exhibiting at public meetings a cisi">u.iatograpli film contrasting the old and the new methods on public works was .strongly criticised by Opposition members during consideration of the Public Works Kstimatcs in the House of Representatives to-day. It was alleged that the film was being used for party propaganda purposes. Referring to an item of £424 for a film, the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, asked whether that was the film which the Minister was showing round the country. Mr. Semple: There arc several films.

Mr. Hamilton said he had not seen the film, but from what lie had heard it seemed that it was being used a good deal for political purposes.

"It is a question of demonstrating to the public how it is possible to do works that could never have been done without the use of modern machinery," said Mr. Semple. "The film depicts the old and new methods on public works. The people have a right to know why the machinery was bought and whether Ihe expenditure for the purpose is justified. The film was never designed to do any parly any harm whatever."

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL [nv TELF.G HA PIT —rifKSS association] WELLINGTON, Friday The Opunake Harbour Pill, the Wellington City Empowering Bill and the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society Incorporation Bill were put through the remaining stages by the Legislative Council to-day and passed. The Council adjourned until Monday afternoon.