WAR PENSIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 178, 31 July 1940, Page 6

WAR PENSIONS

INCREASED BENEFITS SINCE FIRST ACT MEASURES PASSED BY HOUSE [ Ter Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, July 30. Moving the second reading of the War Pensions Amendment Bill and the War Pensions Extension Bill, both of which measures were taken simultaneously by the House of Representatives this afternoon, the Minister of Defence, Hon. F. Jones, said that the total cost of war pensions since the original Act was passed in 1915 amounted to £29,524,336. When the original Act was first placed on the Statute Book, said Mr. Jones, a private soldier totally disabled with a wife and one child received £2 12s 6d a week. To illustrate the improvement made in the legislation during the ensuing 25 years, a private soldier in similar circumstances was now paid £5 a week, said the Minister. He believed that the New. Zealand Act, in conjunction with the War Veterans’ Allowance Act, was the most libera! in the British Empire. The number of war pensioners and was veterans to-day, he said, wa: 25,923 and the annual payment amounted to £1,886,537. Although many soldiers had passed away and many of their dependents were no. longer eligible for benefits, the increases made in pensions generally had been such that the cost was now approximately the same as in 1921, which was the peak year in payments of pensions, payments then totalling £1,886,952

The question of rehabilitation of men who had gone overseas was receiving the consideration of the Government, said Mr. Jones. Every soldier who came back from overseas would be medically examined, even to the extent of X-rays, so that the authorities could be sure when the man was discharged that he would be fit. Referring to the War Pensions Extension Bill, Mr. Jones said that provision had been made in respect to pension payments for men who had been sent home to join any of the armed forces of Great Britain. In the event of any of those men being granted a British pension that was lower than the New Zealand pension, the difference would be paid by New Zealand. Soldiers’ Marriages. The Minister emphasised the point that under the new legislation there was no restriction on dependants’ allowances as far as the date of a soldier’s marriage was concerned. Hon. J. G. Cobbe said that all members would admit that too much could not be done for the men who went away to fight for country and Empire. The original War Pensions Act had been improved from time to time and he was pleased that the Minister had be.en able to bring down further amendments. Mr. J. A. Lee said he was sure that all were happy to see this Bill and the removal of the disqualification on men who married after a certain date was particularly pleasing. He did not think there would be nearly so many disabled men from this war as from the last, because the war from the air did not cause the casualties caused oy such a battle as the Somme. However, a war of movement might develop later and men might be injured in large numbers and the pensions provisions must, be made. Mr. Lee appealed to the Government to consider the pension rate in the light of present-day wages and costs in comparison with those at the time when the rate was laid down. Mr. S. G. Holland said he was not very satisfied with part three of the Bill which laid upon soldiers on home service the responsibility of proving disability. He would like the Minister to reconsider the matter. Both bill’s were read a second time, and after a brief discussion in committee were read a third time and passed. The House then adjourned for tea.