MARRIED SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9958, 30 April 1918, Page 6

MARRIED SOLDIERS

SEPARATION ALLOWANCES SIXPENCE A DAY MORE FOR CHILDREN. STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER. - The following statement with regard to separation allowances was made for publication yesterday by the Minister for. Defence (Sir James Allen); “The Government has - had under consideration this day the question of separation allowances, and it has been decided — “That the allowances to children of soldiers of tho Expeditionary lorce he increased by '6d per day, or from is to 10s 6d per week, as from May® Ist. PRESENT POSITION. “Tho present • position with regard to allowances to wife and children, assuming that tho soldier allots his deferred pay of'3s per day to his wife is— Allotment 21s per- week. Wife’s allowance 21s per week. One child 7s per week. Total 49s per week. the soldier retaining 14s per week, with food, clothing, etc., provided. “On the same basis the present allowances provide for — Wife aud two children 56s per week. Wife and three children 63s per week. Wife and four children 70s' per Week. Wife and five children 77s per week. - EFFECT OF THE INCREASE. “The increase agreed to, on the basis of 3s a day allotment,/will provide — For wife and one child 52s 6d per week. For wife aud two, children 63s 0d per ween. For wife and three , children 73s 6d per week. For wife and four - children 84s Od per week. For wife and five children 94s 6d per week. WIDOWED MOTHERS. “It has been decided also to increase from 10s per week to 15s per week the amount of income which the widowed mother may receive without affecting tho widowed mother’s allowance. This will x'crmifc those in receipt of old ago pensions, including the war bonus, to benefit by s the widowed mother’s allowance, and will permit of others not in receipt of old age pension, but of income otherwise derived up to_ 15s a week, also benefiting by the widowed mother’s allowance.

CAPITAL LIMITATION RAISED. “Cabinet have also decided that the present limitation of capital which debars receipt of an allowance shall ha increased to £3OO, . “With respect to the widowed mother in receipt of full old ago pension and the war bonus, tho increase now agreed to will allow — 15s Od per week old age pension. •■los 6d widowed mother’s allowance. i- 25s 6d “To this must be added the allotment which the soldier leaves to his widowed mother. “The increase of income allowed to 15s por week will also meet the case of- widbwed- mothers in receipt of widow’s pension. OTHER DEPENDENTS. “Cabinet has decided also, with, respect to others than wife, child, or widowed mother, being relatives, and who have been in fact dependent on tho soldier for twelve months prior to his enlistment, that an allowance will bo paid to such equivalent to the amount paid By the soldier, with a maximum limitation of 10s 6d por week. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. “It has beon decided also to increase tho insurance policy allowed, in cases where the soldier is not already insured, from £2OO to £3OO, and the Financial Assistance Board will be so advised. “The question of increase in tho wife’s allowance from 21s per week was fully considered, and it was decided that further consideration should bo given to provision for tho soldier on return should he not be able to secure employment. Tins question is beset with many difficulties, but an earnest endeavour will be made to solve them. “It is evident that very many of tho men 8f the -Expeditionary Force, having their positions assured, on return to New Zealand, will bo able to secure employment without delay, as, for instance, all State ’ and local authority employees. It is also clear that many others can he provided with employment on jmblic works, but there will be some for whom tho Government may not bo able to offer employment suitable to them. Tbo latter aro tho cases that, as indicated, require consideration.”

Tho Minister added that he will make a further statement to-day showing tho estimated increased cost to tho State of the above-mentioned changes.