WAR GRATUITIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26078, 15 February 1946, Page 6

WAR GRATUITIES

DECEASED SINGLE MEN MINISTER EXPLAINS POLICY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 14. The policy that will be followed in determining the payment of war service gratuities in the case of unmarried deceased service personnel was given to-day by the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones, in response to an inquiry. He was asked whether, before the gratuity was paid in deceased servicemen’s cases, it would be necessary to prove that the serviceman was supporting the applicant either by way of allotment or voluntary deductions from pay. The Minister said the regulations provided that the Minister of Defence might grant a gratuity or part of a gratuity to, or for .the benefit of, such dependents of deceased servicemen or such other person or persons in such a manner and in such proportion as the Minister thought fit. The Minister would consider individually every case, and. the facts as submitted in each case would guide him in his decisions. , , “Obviously,” said the Minister, “ claims of parents both dependent on a serviceman prior to his death and non-dependent must be taken into account, although cognisance will be taken of all other appropriate considerations.” The Minister added that it was not possible to say beforehand what decisions would be reached in any particular case. All who considered they had a just claim should make it on the prescribed form not later than March 31.