A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE.

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

A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE.

SOME LOCAL EXAMPLES

(From "The Colonist," Sept. 28tL.) In commenting favourably upon the Government's proposals in regard to pensions and allowances as outlined in yesterday's issue, the Mayor (Mr. W. W. Snodgrass), who as hon. secretary, and now as president of the Nelson Sick and Wounded Soldiers and their Dependents' Fund, has had a large number of grants for pensions' and allowances through his hands, gave three interesting examples showing the increases 'that have been made since the beginning of the war, and the position of the dependents under the proposed scale. In each case the wife was left behind with four children.

In case No. 1, before there were allowances for wives and children tho woman lived on her soldier husband's allotment of £1 8s per week. Then the principle of separation allowances ivas introduced, and added to her allotment was 7s wife's separation allowance, and 3s Gd per week for each child, bringing her total income to £2 9s per week. Then the children's allowance was increased from 3s 6d per week to 5s 3d per week, increasing ncr income to £2 ]6s per week. The Financial Assistance Board's scheme was brouglt into operation, and the board paid her rent, of 12s per week. Under the present proposals the women will receive £1 8s allotment, £1 Ls separation allowance, £1 Ss being 7s -per week for each child, making a fcotal of £3 17s per week, with tho rent of 12s per week paid by the Financial Assistance Board.

In the case of No. 2, tho husband le|f*iis wife .thY whole of his-pay, £1 15s per week. Under the original scheme of ,allbwance.s slie received in addition 7s on account' of herself and14s on account of her 4 children, making a total income of £2 16s per week. Then when the children's allowances were increased by ls 9d per week, her income was brougit uj| to £3 3s per week. She also was able to take advantage of the provisions for financial assistance, the board granting £13 j>er annum towards interest, rates and insurance. Under the latest proposals her position will be further improved, and her income will be: Allotment £1 15s; wife's allowance, £1 Is; children's allowance, £1 8s; total, £4 4s. plus the £13 T>aid by the Financial Asisstance Board.

In cose Xo. 3. the soldier, wto is a sergeant, left his wife an allotment of £1 11s 6d. Later when the scheme of allowances was put into operation her income was increased to £2 12s 6d per week, and further increased when the allowance for children wns brought r.p to Ss.ad, to €2 19s 6d. Tie Financial Assistance. Board-are navlng £52 a vpar interest on account of tbis soldier. Under- the nresent proposals ber iir>£ irpomo. will be £i Qs'fid, \n addition to tbo Gran* mnde by' the Financial As-si^+-anc« 'Roard. " %

Tn addition tn f.'-'p abnvr it be rr*"encored tbat +he b"^i.ind is fod mid olotlipfi l>v the T^fen^e l")er>:\vtTi^nfc. "o t.Vo-j-" finsnoin.ll^ flip, drf^onfl. e"t wil 1 in m?nv r^sos bo hotter off than when the-breachvinner is at" home.