WAR PENSIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22788, 12 January 1944, Page 4

WAR PENSIONS

Mothers Who Have

Lost Sons

Explanation By Minister

Of Defence

"I have carefully considered your note in which you represent the position of mothers who have lost their sons in this war in relation to the payment of pensions under the war pensions legislation,” the Minister of Defence (the Hon. Fred Jones) has replied to the Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P. for Timaru. “This aspect was accorded full attention when the recent legislation was being deliberated, and it is felt that the present amount of pension available meets the reasonable claims of the mothers when compared with other classes of applicants. “In general the pension for a dependant other than a wife, widow or child is assessed by the War Pensions Board, which is the granting authority having regard to the actual contributions made by the member during the 12 months prior to his entry into the Forces. However, the War Pensions Board is given authority to grant pensions to the parents notwithstanding the fact that they were not dependent prior to enlistment provided they are now without adequate means of support. "I may say that for a widowed mother who was considered to be partially dependent the rate of pension is not less than half of that available to the wife or widow. Where the widowed mother is totally dependent she may qualify for a pension on the same basis as that available to the widow. “Of course where the mother is not a widow the circumstances of herself and her husband are the deciding factors and the Board is required to determine the question of dependancy. In general a pension of this nature is subject to a means test and all matters of economic significance have to be taken into account.

“From this explanation I think you will appreciate that much has been done along the lines suggested by you and I think it would be preferable if you would submit to me the name of any particular case where it would appear desirable to have a review carried out. If you will act in accordance with this suggestion can then advise you more specifically of the reasons for the actual rate of pension authorised.”