MARRIED SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16143, 22 February 1918, Page 7

MARRIED SOLDIERS.

! RESTRICTING FINANCIAL | ASSISTANCE. OND DIVISION PROTEST. ; Ti:e Wellington papers very ; hastily report-, of a meeting of :he 1 Wellington Sec-.-nd Division League on ; Tuesday, at which complaint \va> made ■ of the manner in which the Financial j Assistance Board is discharging | duties. j The chairman (?.Jr R. A. Armstrong. president, of the League) said they i v.ere sorry to state that no adequate | prori'-ion was being made to keep the i v. ■ u's and children of soldiers in decent i comfort. They did not ask for hixu- ! rii's ; all they asked was that the ! wiv"- and children of should i be ke; i in ordinary decency. All tvo.ild j not he cniled upon to go. but those ■ \tiio_did not .should see that til"' >'e- | peii'lants ol those who did go were I o roper I v provided for and their homes ; uept going. Sir James Allen. I:'/ j -aid, had stated that lie was not" | alrai.l to call up members of the Second Division. He was <'tiitc right m saving so. because the Second Division hud always said they were prepared to | go, and they maintained that attitud". i So lar as Second Division reservists were concerned, they were willing to play the game, but they uere going to j sec to it that the game was also piaySed by the authorities. To say that | the Second Division was not going was nonsense. The chairman proceeded to quote, typical cases as showing the mannor in which financial assistance was being | granted. Ho prefaced these by quoting a letter dated January 31st, 1918, written by the .Minister of Defence to the Second Division League. In this letter the Minister stated that the policy of the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board with respect to life insurance was as follows:—"The Board will consider the payment of insurance premiums and war loading (if any) on the ftiil Mini assured under policies taken out some time prior to the date of the. enlistment of the soldier, or to his being called up in the ballot, subject, of course, to his financial circumstances warranting a grant under the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Regulations. In the case of new policies up to £200 only, the Board is prepared to consider payment of the ordinary, premiums and the war loading, where there is no existing policy, and where the circumstances warrant a grant of financial assistance. Several grants have been made to meet premiums on new policies, and the Board has only declined to authorise payment of premium in those cases where the financial circumstances of the applicant, in the opinion of the Board, did not warrant a grant." They would see, said Mr Armstrong, how the terms of that letter were being fulfilled. Tlie cases he quoted were as follows:— Case I.—Reservist drawn in Second Division ballot. Applied for financial assistance for recurring obligations (over and above living expenses), totalling £27 15s 4d; also asked re new life policy for £200. Board replied stating: "With reference to your icquest for payment of your premium on a new life insurance policy for £200, I regret to inform you that the Board has no authoritv to grant assistance toward the payment of any but existing obligations." . Information supplied as requested, and final reply from the Board stated "regrets that it cannot authorise any financial assistance in your case." Applicant working on wages, and his wife will have no income other than his military pay allotment and allowance. Case 2.—Reservist volunteered before the first Second Division ballot. Applied for financial assistance for recurring obligations (in excess of living expenses) totalling £60 13s lOd. Boartl replied: "Took into consideration full circumstances, but regrets that it cannot authorise any financial assistance. Board: suggests you should arrange tor payment of principal to be deferred during your military service, and your wife should then be able to meet recurring obligations out of her allotment and allowances without any undue hardship." After meeting obligations, £75 198 6d (£1 9s per week) left for wife, who is in delicate health, to keep her home going, . feed and clothe herself, etc.. keep place in repair, and meet regular medical expenses.

Case .3. —Husband ordered camp March 6th. Wife applied for financial assistance, rent 15s per week, also new insurance policy. Board replied: In connexion with life insurances, the Board can only undertake consideration of existing obligations, and any further obligation incurred should' be a matter entirely for your own arrangement. I would point- out that any assistance granted b v this Board will be subject to your husband making an allotment of 3s 6d per day in your favour. Applicant replied: (1) Present income £3 18s per week and war bonus; (2) wife no income; (3) asked for further consideration i*e insurance; (4) willing to leave 3s 0d a day to wife. Board's final reply: "Took into consideration full circumstances, but regrets that it cannot authorise any financial assistance in your case." Caso 4. —Reservist applied for financial assistance, premium and war risk on new policy of £200. Explained that could not carry on policy unless grant made. Board's reply: "Cannot authorise any financial assistance in your case." Case s.—Civilian salary £6 per week. Made application for financial assistance respecting rent and insurances, totalling £60 7s Bd. Board replied, regrets "cannot authorise any financial assistance in your case." Applicant wrote asking whether the Board had not made some mistake, as grants had been made to other similar applicants. Board replied application reconsidered and resolved to grant life insurance preftiium, £7 lis 3d, adding, "the grant has been authorised subject to your making an allotment of 33 6d per dav in favour of your wife." Case 6.—Applied for financial assistance, rent and life insurance, totalling £55 ss. Board replied granting: On account of rent £13, insurance £3 ss, total £16 ss. Case 7.—Applied for financial assistance respecting mortgage, rates, and insurances, totalling £42 4s 7d; civilian income £254 10s, income of dependant after enlistment £114. Board granted life insurance £13 17s. Case B.—Mrs , one child, husband on service, allotment and separation allowances 7s per day. Applied for rent, lis per week. £2S 12s. Refused. Case 9.—Reservist's average wage £-! per week; appealed with view of ensuring adequate financial assistance; Appeal Board recommended grant. Applied for rent (18s per week) £46 lGs, life insurance £16 13s sd, total £63 9s sd. Granted: Insurance £16 13s sd, rent on account £13, total £29 13s sd. This means that reservist' swife. who is an invalid, will have £1 12s 6d per week for all purposes, after paying balance of rent. Case 10.—Mrs , three children. Husband volunteered. Applied for assistance. rent of rooms 13s up:; week. Board made grant .September, 1917: Rent 13s per week. £33 16s. Found just before husband sailed that an old insurance policy could be renewed if war risk were paid. -Made application to the F.A. Board, \yhieh replied: "The resolution convcycj to you in my letter of September sth last was rescinded, and in lieu thereof a fresh grant was authorised, as follows: Rent Ton account) £13 per annum, life insur-

ance ( including war loading) £23 12s, total £36 12s. Applicant wrote asking whether mistake iiad not been made as slu> found it hard to believe that while giving me an increase for insurance tiic.v immediately deprive me of am- bene!:! by reducing my rent allowance by practically the same amount." Hoard replied: "iM have apparently omitted to take into consideration the fact thai yunr separation allowance has been merea.scd as from January Ist. by 2s per day, and the allowance made on behalf of your children by Utl per day. or total ot £'-30 3s I'd per ami u in. Jn view ot this, you will have no difficulty in understanding tho aaviturlo and decision of the Jioaru."' ise 11 (.reservistI. —Applied lor financial assistance: Instalments on loan £ib, lire assurance £0 os, rent 10s : total £7'2 ios. Board granted: j t'art instalment on loan £12, life as- , >.iia/ice £<i Os; total, i'lß j<. Appli- ! cant asked for reconsideration. Hoard ) granted additional £'2G per annum on - ill-count of lent. liven then wife has, ' with separation allowance and allotj ment. only £1 'Js 'id per week. I Case I:.' (comparative).—Reservist apj plied for financial assistance : Kent £78. I life assurance £'20 Is (»d, fire insurance ißs 8d ; total £10-> Us 2d. Board granti<• i: Rent (on account) £'02, insurance L'2o: total £'78. On further representations applicant got an increase to £80 Ki.s 10d. | The chairman stated that the board, j ii'- its reply in one case, inferred that i Tf:e wife could go out to work. lie Ici.ed the last example as showing that the board was fairly liberal in some cases. Hi: complained also of delay in many cases. ''Now.'' ho said, "1 come to the most shocking experience wo have had yet." Th 0 details lie quoted were as follow:— ".Mrs 1 three children (one born aftr-r husband left). Husband left with oth Reinforcements. Wife went to work to keep home going. When Financial Assistance Regulations were brought down in January, 1917, she applied for house rent, and was granted £31) per annum in April. IUI7. For two years she had to struggle on as j best she could. Now F.A. Board lias notified her that this grant has been rescindod. 'Iho. notification is on a j printed form indicating that tho board contemplates a wholesale reseindment of grants made in view of the increased separation allowances. The form, I which is printed, with spaces for nanios I and amounts of grants is as follows: — "Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board. Wellington, 1918. "Dear — , —ln view of the increased separation allowances payable to you by the Defenco Department as from the Ist January, 1918, tho board, after carefully reconsidering your case, has decided to rescind its existing grant of "In arriving at this determination tho board hold that in accordance with your present circumstances tho above-mentioned obligation can now b© met by you without any undue hardship, and lias instructed tho War Expenses Department to discontinue payments. "Yours faithfully, ''S. J. Wills, Secretary." They were getting other cases like this, so the circular appeared to be one that was being sent out generally. That was the reply to the increased separation allowances they had gained. "Now," said Mr Armstrong, "you will see that so far as the granting of financial assistance is concerned, not only is thero inconsistency but that tho statements made to us by Cabinet Ministers and to the Houso, that thero was no need to make the separation allowances 'we asked for because of tho special provisions, have not been fulfilled. The promises made have been broken. Are we going to stand that?" (Cries of "No" and applause.) They might not go themselves, but they must stand by tho dependants of those who had gono or were going. (Prolonged applause.) Several resolution was carried, protesting against the conduct of the Financial Assistance Board, and demanding an increase in 'the present scale of separation allowances.

INTERVIEW WITH THE MINISTER.

(ritESS ASSOCIATION" TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, February 21. The Second XHvision League which has recently been criticising adversely the work of the Financial Assistance Board, waited upon Sir James Allen to-day to state their case against the Board. Mr Armstrong, the president of the League, said the deputation had eomo to meet the Minister in consequence of representations made to the League in connexion with decisions of the Financial Assistance Board. It wished to mention, also, tho Reparation allowance and other matters affecting the homes and dependants of soldiers. The League wanted the system improved. It would supply names and details, in order that the Minister might make the investigation he had promised. Mr Armstrong said ho wished to ask, on behalf of tho League, for a fairly definite assurance from the Minister that these grievances would be remedied. There was great anxiety among Second Kvision men, and if the deputation could take away something moro than an assurance that the matters raised would receive careful consideration, confidence, which had been sadly shaken, would be in a measure restored. He emphasised that they did not desire that soldiers wives and depenants should have to battle for justice, and they objected to official enquiries as to whether a wife was likely to go out to work. They held that a woman's capacity to earn money should not come into the question at all. He quoted the details of several cases that had been considered by the League. Referring to the payment of a separation allowance to home service men, Mr Armstrong said the Depart-ment-ought to discriminate between men living in their own homes and men actuallv separated from tlieir families Mr H. F. Toopood said ho objected to the Assistance Board insisting on an allotment of 3s 6d to the wife, leaving only Is <>J a day for the man himself. The League contended that a married man had even more right to establish a nest egg for his return than a single man. and that his financial resources should not be exhausted while ho was on service. Mr C. H. Chapman advocated an incroaso of the separation allowances to 6s a dnv for the info and Is a dav for each child. THE MINISTER'S REPLY. Sir James Allen, in replving, said he was very glad to see them and hear what they had to say. The Government and the Minister cf 7>efence were very anxious that those who came before the ]• manendi Assistant**? Board should be +i i, 0 ,-'", i Va . s h' s intention that the Board should deal with them liberally, and he hoped it was doing so He wanted to say that he thought iti would have ben bett er had thev be 1 fore they presented their cases in public, la hi them before him. and got the Board s side, and then nresented both + S i d 7 " tho - v could show that an\ injustice had been done iti He wa« not able i° S ?i ' ivhet,ior decisions ot • T' 1 , 111 tli« cases cited were rHit in prino o.e. H e would hare to have tnem fully examined. nave Denims' with the question of tbr. reto'mv * ,nn . nrial Assistance Board to p.-u -lie premium on n new life in franco policy for £200. and the writen sta ement of ihe seeretarv that the Board had no authority fordoing so, tSrti D l ?r d ¥ the letthe deputation had read must have

been written by the Board under a - must Imow themselves , n ..n their ent of .such premiums had bc-.fi • rised in . A llon In roplv t > questions -uJ - said the letter seemed to j under sent from the office oi U.t i>-<-a misapprehension. and he , surnnco that it would be P ut , Sir James Allen added that he Hacl h;:d enquiries made ;v\ '<> t'ie 10 k" the Board in de.iiing with these p ■ ami he was inarmed that the '"ard would grant nrcmiunis iov > 4 ready taken out. Ii a V" U ,„,, ♦ take'out a new policy for £-CM. lie » do so at his own rUk. ami lip must taU it out before aoproaching tne Board he wished to have any assistance .-rom the Board in payment of the pr- maims The Hoard certainly had power to grant premiums and war loading tor new policies in case. of hardship. There were ca>cs \v iipre the Board did not pay tho premiums because the men were well able to do so tlionise'.ves. A point had been made about the question oi a g:;ing io woik. He was intormed that the f'oard did not ask a wife whether she was going to work, and had never done so. Regarding allotments, lie thought- it was e-sentia] that a married man should leave 3s <>d a day to his "wife. It had been decided that the amount a married man should leave to his V >' l^ } before he a-ked for assistance should be 3s lid a day. He thought this v.as_ a reasonable amount, ami he was satisfied that a marre.l man did not need mere than Is (id a day at the front.

Sir James Allen said it could not be claimed that home service men were in the same position as men who had to go to fight. The hom" service man volunteered; the fighting man was compelled t° go. The Minister raid regarding tho Financial Assistance; Board, he wanted Ihein to believe that he was honest in his intention when he framed the regulations and croitocl the Board. The scheme was designed in order to eliminate eases of hardship. As far as ho knew, the Bortrd had been sympathetic, and was doing its work woll. He was prepared, however, at any time to reconsider a constitution of the Board if it was not giving satisfaction. The Board, however, had a difficult task to handle. They could not grant every amount asked for, and refusals douDtless created concern in tho minds of thoso affected. He was sorry to hear expressions showing a lack of confidence in the Board.

In reply to a question, the Minister said he could not promise to constitute Boards all" over the country, for the reason that thoy would create a variety of judgments and grave anomalios. He concluded by saying that ho was always willing to got assistance from Iheni. He wanted thorn to work with' him and his Department. Where there wero attempts to exploit the Government, it was liis duty to protect the Government. They could rest assured that whatever he could do would bo don©, but he askod them to go to hEm candidly when they had grievances, and lot him know what they were.