COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCE.

NZ Truth, Issue 695, 12 October 1918, Page 3

COMPASSIONATE ALLOWANCE.

Dear "Truth,"—There is an allowance, I understand, which, under certain circumstances, the P. and T. Department makes to widows of officers who have died while m their employ called a "compassionate allowance." The husbands of those receiving such an allowance lhave mostly, I believe, not been under the Superannuation Act, but have joined their Department under either the Pensions or Compensation Acts. Can you enlighten me as to (1) why. Buch an allowance should be termed a "compassionate allowance?" (2) What the Department does with the money which has accrued to deceased officers up to the time of the Superannuation Act becoming compulsory and which amount is acknowledged to belong to such officer and added to the amount coming to him should he retire having paid into the superannuation, fund during ihis service? (3) Why such an amount is not paid over to the widow? It belongs to the deceased officer when alive, and is perhaps the only provision he can make for ,his wife and children should he predecease them. (4) What does the Government do with profit from the superannuation and life funds? There must be an excess almost as great as that of the Public Trust. It seems to me a scandalous thing that the Government should be able to grab from widow ancl children an amount which thov in 1- one breath promise to sive and with the next deny all liability for — expressing profound sorrow at the fact of tlhe widow's poverty and semi-star-vation. I would like to know if you can inform me whether there is any ■reading 1 of the Superannuation Act, which could prevent a widow and family being successful m a claim for such an amount accruing and belonging to the deceased officer up to the time of the Superannuation Act coming into force. Also, m regard to the "compassionate" allowance of the officer who has left a- will m favor of the is the Department able to ignore such, and place the amount m the hands of the. Public Trust, an act which deprives the widow of anything at all for a very considerable time; !for the Public Trust is exceedingly slow m moving, and which with their charges and percentages considerably diminisfhes the allowance Why, seeincit is a "compassionate allowance," should it be put through the Public Trust at all, for, while the said Truet is moving the widow and orphans are starving; also, investing m real estate, good as it may be, does not always bring food and clothing? If. you can enlighten me on this matter I shall be

for ever grateful. I think it is time, some of these Acts, allowing heads of Departments to' act as they think fit, are dragons, which, m the dragging out and slaying, one would be conferring an immense service upon many of the geneVai public. Things certainly need cleaning up pretty considerably. THanking you m anticipation; — Yours, etc., . "JACK O' LANTERN." Wellington.