SECOND DIVISION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXII, Issue 17099, 28 September 1917, Page 6

SECOND DIVISION.

Pensions and allowances

ANOTHER DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS.

Per Pre.-s Association. . - WELLINGTON, Sept. 27. '," The Second Division League interviewed the lion! W. F. Massey, Sir Joseph Ward, und Sir Jas Allen, this „evening, regarding the Pensions. Bill ■ anil the allowance proposed for depen /lents of soldiers. They renewed their v requests in accordance' with their ori- : ginal proposals, but expressed consider- „', ?ble satisfaction with the concessions -given already by the Bill. '-• The replies of the Ministers, were not "definite in refusing or assenting tore - quests, as the matters were such as ■must come before Cabinet. , Sir James Allen said that probably the first draft of the Second Division men would not reach Home before .August, and he believed the war might -be approaching its end then. He hop- ' ed there would be no necessity to send ...more than the First Class of the Second Division from this country. Sir, Joseph Ward and Mr Massey \ .froth emphasised the necessity of not 'i -forcing the Government to go beyond ' ' the line of safety, urging that there -Tvas a danger,of the country 'leing un-.-able to continue bearing the burden j without a limit. Both agreed that the ' v country could carry the burdens now proposed. " ; WELLINGTON, Sept. 27. The Second Division League Conference was addressed by Messrs Wilford, . Forbes, and- Guthrie, M.P.'s, regarding '"the Pensions Bill. The conference re" I "feolved to recommend that each league * .accept as an amendment to the con- '- Btitution the following new sub-clause, ', under the heading of "objects" C (to set up in each centre such organisation, and take such steps as may be found ■ necessary, to conserve the interests of -all soldiers who are away on active service, and to act in an advisory capacity to and assist all soldiers and -their dependents in relation to the securing oi: pensions and allowances payable; further, that it be-a recommenda- - ,tion to all leagues-to, immediately take ,'i^teps to give effect to the i'orego'ing. ; \ It was decided" that the age limit of ] children for allowances should be 17 years in the1 case of a male,, and 20 j years in the case of a female. ■ ■ The Pay and Pensions Committee jeeommended that, minimum pensions j .in case of death should. be £2 2s for wife without a child; £2 12s for wife .with .child, or 10s 6d for each child. The conference adjourned till tomorrow.