WAR PENSIONS

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 62

WAR PENSIONS

LIBERAL CONCESSIONS MADE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) "WELLINGTON, May 11. Somo liberal concession® arc made by the Government in the War Pensions Act Amendment Bill, which was introduced by Governor's Message to-day. _ The provisions of the principal Act are extended to members of the Expeditionary Force prior to their departure from New Zealand, and also to persons engaged in New Zealand on military service in connection with the war. The pension of a female dependent of a member of the force is to cease on her marriage. The parents of deceased soldiers receive more liberal treatment by having all ago limitations omitted (the principal Act provided for mother® being over 50 years and fathers over 55 years before being entitled to pensions), and this provision is extended to parents of disabled as well as of deceased soldiers. It is also provided that tho pension of a widowed mother whose son was her solo support shall not in any case be less than would have been payable to a wife. A new principle for the computation of pensions provides that tho pension payable to a member of the forces or to the wife or child of such member shall not take into consideration tho property or income from any source of the applicant. In the case of dependents other than wives or children the property and income shall be taken into consideration. Tho definition of dependent in the original Act is widened to provide that the board may grant a pension to a person who satisfies the board that, by reason of a soldier's death or disablement, he has suffered material loss of income or property. The pensions generally commence as at the dato of death or from_ the date of discharge, although the board is allowed to fix the dates in special cases. A specinl clause provides that where applicants are the recipients of pensions from, the Imperial or other authorities in respect of this war (other than pensions attached to honours), such amounts shall bo deducted

from the pensions to which they are entitled. This section is retrospective in its action. An important clause abol.shes the schedules of the original Act. which set a maximum to the pensions which could be drawn.