R.S.A.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21379, 23 June 1939, Page 10

R.S.A.

Dominion Conference Taxation of Pensions Discussed By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, June 22. A Marlborough remit ‘ that further consideration be given to the provision of headstones on the graves of all returned soldiers” was defeated at the annual conference of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association to-night. The president, the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., said that it would cost £40,000 to do this now, and on the basis of 100,000 New Zealanders who went overseas I eventually (at £7lO/- a headstone) £”50.000. How the Social Security Act had placed widowed mothers whose sons had been killed in the Great War in a position under which there was no longer any economic recognition of their loss was discussed by the conference. Mr Perry read a reply to a letter sent by the Social Scurity Department to a widowed mother whose two sons had been killed in the war, informing her that because of receiving a war pension of 15/- in respect of each son she was not entitled to an over 60 benefit. I On the recommendation of Christchurch it -was decided to make representations that dependents’ war pensions be not taken into account when computing the allowance paid under the unemployment or age benefits. Pensions and Taxes An Auckland remit was approved to the effect that the Government be urged to reinstall the system of ignoring the first 17/6 of a war pensioner’s pension (either for himself alone or for wife and dependents) in assessing the amount payable to him as sustenance. Mr O. L. Ferens (Dunedin) said that unless a firm stand was taken the War Pensions Act would be submerged in other legislation. Remits approved were. — “That Poppy Day money made available from special funds for the relief of ex-servicemen should not be treated as income in assessing a ex-service-man’s weekly income under the Social Security Act.” “That the age benefits under the Social Security Act be made available to ex-servicemen at 55.” “That the Government be urgently requested to remove the hardship imposed on many Maori ex-servicemen by which the wives and children of men married according to native custom, and who can produce a native land court judge’s certificate to this effect; are debarred from such pensions or allowances available in the case of legal marriages.” “That the Pensions Department pay the burial expenses where a deceased returned soldier’s estate is less than £50.” Bursaries Further representations are to be made to the Government to extend the bursary payable to children of disabled soldiers to those children who attend private secondary schools. The Association should not tolerate sectarian discrimination between children of returned soldiers, said a delegate. Mr Perry said the remit was first passed in 1934. Nothing had been done recently. Mr Savage in an interview said that the matter would receive every consideration. By reaffirming the remit it would be shown that returned soldiers wanted children in denominational schools to receive the same treatment as those in state schools.