INCREASES DETAILED.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14539, 17 October 1917, Page 2 (Supplement)

INCREASES DETAILED.

LIBERALISING OF THE SCHEME.

(From Our Parliamentary Correspondent.)

Wellington, Sept. 26. The schedules, which constitute the most important feature of the War Pensions Bill;-show a tendency to democratisation of pensions. - There, is an all-round increase of 5s weekly in the death and total disablement pensions of1 all ranks. The differential treatment of privates and non-commissioned officers is abolished in favour of a general rate of £2 weekly for total disablement, with £1 to the wife, the. latter representing in tie case of privates^a 7s 6d increase. The children's rate remains at 7s 6d each for every rank and rating.

DEATH SCHEDULES.

(Weekly^ Rates.)

Pension incase of death of a private, .bombardier,, lance-corporal, trooper,_; gunner, driver, sapper, trumpeter, able seaman, ana equivalent ratings, wife without child £1 10s, wun child or children £2. ...

'Corporal, farrier, shoeing smith, saddler, or fitter (.if-bombardier, lance-cor-poral, gunner or 'private, lance-ser-geant, not paid as such), leading seaman, and equivalent ratings, £i Us and £2 Is.

Sergeant.-farrier,V corporal - shoeing smith, corporal-saddler, corporal fitter,1 corporal-farrier, sergeant-saddler, ser-geant-armburer,, sergeant-fitter, lancesergeant" paid as suen; petty officer and equivalent ratings, £1 I2s and £f 2s. Squadron,, battery or-company sergeantrinajor, quartermaster-sergeant, colour-«er.geant-, stafL-sergeant, pay clerk, chief petty officer ancf'equ.ivalent ratings, £1 -14s and £2 4s.

Regimental sergeant-major, regimental quartermaster-sergeant, warrant officer and equivalent ranks (Navy)»£l 15s: and £2:55.

Second lieutenant,; lieutenant (Army), commissioned warrant officer, and equivalent ranks (Navy), •£& 5s and £2 15s.

Captain, (Army), lieutenant tinder eight years? seniority, and equivalent ranks, commanders and equivalent, ranks (Navy), £2 10s and. £3. Major, lieutenant of eight years' seniority, or equivalent ranks (Navy), £2 17s and £3 75..

, Lieutenant-colonel, captain under threes years' seniority and , equivalent ranksi(Navy), £3 &s and £3 16s. - Colonel, c^^a|n of three years' seniorityvandi^^iuivalent ranks (Navy),. £3 8s and: £3 18s.

» Brigadier-general, major -..general, dpmmodores of first and second classy rear-admiral and other equivalent ranks, wife without child £3 10s, witl child, or children, £4. Allowance to each child weekly, 7s M"m all cases.^ >; ? •

DISABLEMENT RATES.

Pensions- jn? case of disablement are as follows:—

Private and. ;all . noncommissioned ranks and naval ratings,, to member weekly £2, to wife weekly, £1. Second-lieutenant, lieutenant (Army), commissioned- warrant ""'officer and equivalent ranks,, .sub-lieutenant and equivalent ranks' (Navy), £2 2s 6d and £1 Is 3d.

•Captain (Army), lieutenant under eight years' seniority and equivalent ranks (Navy), £2 5s and £1 2s 6d.

Major, lieutenant of eight years' seniority and"equivalent ranks (Navy), £2 12s and £1 6s.

Lieutenant-colonel, captain under three years' seniority and equivalent ranks, commanders and equivalent ranks (Navy), £3^ls and £1 10s' 6d. Colonel, captain of three years' seniority and equivalent ranks (Navy), £3 3s and £1 11s 6d.

Brigadier - general, major - general, commodores of first and second class, rear-admiral and other equivalent ranks, to member weekly £3 ss, to wife weekly £1 12s 6d.

Allewanco to eacl:1 child,-7s 6xl weekly in all cases.

SPECIFIC INJURIES

The Third Schedule sets out the ratio of pension to full pension payable in ca&es of total disablement as follows :—

Loss of two limbs, limb -and eye,both hands, all' fingers und thumbs, both feet, hand ana foot, sight, total paralysis, lunacy, permanently bedridden, wounds or injuries to nead or other organ involving total disabling effects, advanced" incurable disease, very serious facial disfigurement, 10U per cent.

I Amputation of right arm through shoulder joint, amputation of leg through hip joint, 85 per cent. Loss of speech, severe facial disfigurement, amputation of eft arm through shoulder joint,-amputation of right arm at or above elbow, amputation oT leg through knee joint or thigk, 80 per cent.. Amputation of left arm at or above elbow, amputation, of right arm, below; elbow,,amputation of leg below knee, f5 per cent; . Total deafness, amputation of left arm below elbow, 70 per cent. Amputation of right hand, 65 per cent; left hand, j>o per cent. Loss of one eyo, four fingers of right hand, <50 per. &cut. . Loss of four lingers of left hand,'ls per cent. Loss of three fingers of rigLt hand, loss of thumb of right hand, 40 per cent. Loss of three fingers of left hand, loss of thumb of left hand, 30 per cent. Losfe of two fingers of right or left hand, 25 per cent. Loss of index finger of right or left land, 20 per cent. In cases of left-handed men, pensions in respect of injury to left arm or hand will be at the rate prescribed as for injury to,-right arm or hand. GENERAL CLAUSES. I The general clauses of the Bill show ■ a liberalising tendency. There is one empowering the payment of an extra rate of £1 weekly "if the pension fails to bring the income up to an amount enabling the pensioner or widow to live in accordance with the standard of comfort to which they were accustomed before the war. - The Bill is to com© into forco on January Ist. '