SOLDIERS' PENSIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16542, 16 November 1915, Page 8

SOLDIERS' PENSIONS

/ STATEMENT BY MR MYERS. SOME MISAPPREHENSIONS REMOVED. (Per United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, November 15. Referring to statements published regarding the payment of war pensions,, tho Hon. Mr Myers says:—"Some statements have been made to the encct that pensions should be granted regardless of any consideration. Tho fundamental principles of tho Act, as decided by Parliament, are, as far as a ■ soldier i 6 oonoerned, that his pension is awarded with due re card to the extent of his disablement, which must have arisen put of his employment as a soldic - ; and as far as tho dependent of any soldier is concerned, that his or her circumstances must be taken into Account, so that it njay bo decided to what extent assistance from tho State shall be rendered. As far as the returned soldier is concerned, he is asked_ to fill in a form on a single sheet, containing practically only two leading questions— namely, to what extent he is disabled, and, if requiring a personal attendant, has ho the means to pay such an attendant? Property or income has no bearing whatever on his claim for pension, except that the simple question, 'What are your average earnings?' is asked, to help in determining the extent of his disability. No soldier disabled by wounds has been refused a pension. Pensions, however, have been refused where soldiers have been stricken bv illness, and who, by the time they have returned to tho dominion, have completely recovered. In some cases pensions have been refused, and the applicant has immediately enlisted for the next reinforcements. Complaints have been made that wounded soldiers do_ not get tho full benefit of the scale provided, and that their circumstances and those of their relatives affect the claim. In no case do tho applicant's circumstances, or anyone else's, have any bearing whatever oil his claim, and ho gets the full benefit of tho scale to the extent of his disablement. Several soldiers who have lost an eve have been awarded a pension of £i a week. Another soldier with an amputated leg has 30s a wepk. But there are many cases where soldiers who have been ill have not been considered as cases for a pension roll. A common error mado is that any person who has been receiving an allotment of pay from a deceased soldier is entitled to a pension. The Act does not so provide. In fact, it is laid down that the dependent, applicant must - have been assisted during 12 months preceding the date of the soldier's enlistment, except in the case of parents well up in years, who have a claim outside of dependency. Tne greatest exception 6eerns to be taken to requiring the widow of a deceased soldier to state her affairs. By a recent amendment of the Australian Act the wife and children there are granted pensions regardless of income or property, while it is the position in New Zealand that the circumstances of tho wife have to be taken into account. Causes are rare where tho amount granted is below the maximum provided in Australia, which ranges from £52 for the wife of a private to £156 for the wife of a general, or 5s a week less in each case than the maximum rates payable in New Zealand."