N.Z. SOLDIERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 54, 18 May 1942, Page 3

N.Z. SOLDIERS

PAY AND ALLOWANCES

The fmancal provision made for New Zealand soldiers and. their dependants was referred to/ fov the Prime Minister (Mr I*rasei) duiing the recent session of Parliament, in answer to an urgent question by Mr J. Hodgens (Government, Palmerston North) . Mr Fraser said that provision was made in the Budget for the 1 cost of living bonus for soldiers dependants, so that the amount payable to a private solfdier serving in New Zealand who- had a wife and; two children, would be £G Is Gd, allowing £1 for the soldiers' board, clothing, and so on. "It may be," he said, "that 17s is a fairer figure, but I am told that £1 is: a remarkable estimate, although I do not stick to that figure. The pay to the soldier is £2 95. | Bis wife's allowance is £1 Is a week, with 17s Gd for the first chiM and l()s, Gd for the second child. In addition, there is the present bonus of 3s Gd. That makes a total of £5 Is Gd. free of tax. "If wc take into account the value of the soldier's keep and clothes, the man with two children is in a position that compares favourably with that of a good many workers outside the forces. The soldier, when serving overseas, receives Gd a day additional, making an increase of 3s Gd a week. The soldier with two children can allot and usually' does allot to his dependants 5s a day from his pay, so that he has his keep, his clothes and 14s a week, while his family receives £1 4s a week, or if the soldier is serving overseas, £4 7s Gd. both amounts being free of tax "In addition, there is this important point; that the soldiers dependants, where necessary, receive assistance from the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Beard. Oil: that Boarc there are members of Parliament and I am told, that the policy of the board is to see that the soldier, wlu is giving his services and risking hi: life for his country, is not penal I ised -"