SOLDIERS’ PAY

Southland Times, Issue 17778, 6 July 1916, Page 5

SOLDIERS’ PAY

STATEMENT BY PRIME MINISTER. • (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 5. A statement regarding soldiers’ pay and separation allowances was made in the House to-day by the Prime Minister. Mr Massey said that the Government was just as anxious as any member to do all it possibly could for soldiers, and to provide for. theirt and their dependents. It was'quite impossible to give full compensation in money for the sacrifices of widows and orphans .of men who had been killed, or those of soldiers who were incapacitated. The 'Government had a very great responsibility in connection with the Expeditionary Force, and it must go carefully. Our present expenditure was over a million a month. Members were in the habit of saying that soldiers were paid five shillings per day. It was true that a single private’s pay was five shillings per day for a seven days’ week, whilst the wives of married men received an extra seven shillings per week as a separation allowance, with a further 3/6 per week for each child. Besides this pay, however, the Government was responsible to the Imperial Government for the food and the clothing of the men. The Government had not yet been able to obtain a definite settlement with the Imperial Government in regard to the cost of food and clothing. He understood, however, that it was approximately four shillings per day. Dr Thacker: It would not cost men so much at home. Mr Massey said that they were not likely to have a settlement with the Imperial authorities until the end of the war. There were also other expenses, including the cost of transports, medical attention, and camp equipment. Altogether, it was reasonable to assume that every soldier at the front was costing the dominion not less than ten shillings per day. Mr G. Witty: Soldiers do not get that. Mr Massey: I have made that clear. I am speaking of the cost to the country. .1 do not begrudge it, and I would not begrudge it if every man cost the country a pound a day. Mr H. Poland: That does not help the children. Mr Massey: No. but I am showing the necessity for caution in connection with our financial arrangements. 1 assure the House that, so far as the Government is concerned, there will be no cheese-paring in connection with our soldiers. Mr Poland; There is evidence of it. Mr Massey said that the Defence Minister had assured the House that he would bring the matter before the Cabinet, ami, it would come before the Cabinet. Mr Witty: Will the Government act in the matter? Mr Massey repeated that, with our rapidly increasing expenditure, it was necessary to be extremely careful.