WAR PENSIONS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2525, 28 July 1915, Page 9

WAR PENSIONS

OTHER LIBERAL PROVISIONS

Amendments to the War Pensions Bill were introduced iby Governor's Message.

The definition of dependents was widened to includo the following:— _ "(a) The wife of a member of the Forces at the timo of his death or disablement, but does not includo a woman who may marry a member of tho I 1 orcos after the date of his disablement ; "(b) The children' of a. member of tho Forces, whether born beforo or "after his death or disablement; but does not includo illegitimate children born after tho expiry of twelve months' from the date of the departure of the member from New Zealand, or the children of a marriage solemnised after the date upon which tlio member was disabled; and "(c) Any other member of his family who was in fact wholly or in part dependent upon 1 his earnings immediately prior to the date upon which he became a member of the Forces." Definition Widened. Tllo definition of "a member of the Forces" lias been _ widened to include not only men serving abroad, but men belonging to tho Force raised l for service abroad. i _ Under .the Bill as it 6tood it was provided that tho board'might take into consideration wilful, misconduct of the member duriilg his period of service. An amendment introduced last night- gives tho board discretionary power, if satisfied that such misconduct has contributed to the disablement, either refuso to grant a pension, or grant a pension at a reduced rate.

Another amendment provides for tho payment of an extra allowance of 10s. per week to totally disabled men requiring the services of an attendant. Application for pension allowance may be made in respedt of a child born after the death or disablement, of a member of tho Force, provided the application is made within six mouths of that date.

The. Bill provided that in determining the rate of pension payable to any dependent of a member, .tho board shall tako into consideration tho property or iricomo from all . sources of tho dependent. An amendment now proposed is to the cffect that tho board may' also take into consideration also tho property or income of all' persons liable at law- for the maintenance of the dependent. .

A new clause brings within the scope of-the Act a womaii married to a Maori member of the Force according to Native custom, and t-he children of such a marriage. ' A Souvenir Medal. On the motion to receive the amendments, SIR JOSEPH WARD (Awarua) suggested that the Government should provide a s6uvenir medal similar to the Queen Mary Souvenir issued in England, •for the mothers and sisters who had sons and.brothers fighting at the front. In soma cases the medal might also be given to the father.' The presentation, apart from a sentimental value, would do good. Tlio Hon. JAMES ALLEN (Minister of Dofence) said that he had tho matter under consideration, but there _ were some difficulties in. connection with it. He was making inquiries at Homo, and lie thought they might get over the difficulties. Something had been done in Ashburton, arid he commended to tho Patriotic. Societies the action taken. Either tho Patriotic Sociofcy or the Queen Carnival Committee of tho Ashburton district had presented small English ensigns to tho mothers and fathers who had sons at' the'front. It was very impressive, and would have a good effect. If anything could be dono in New Zealand on the lines suggested, he would bo only too glad to do it. They had to guard against any'abuse of the privilege. Ho promised' to mako further inquiries. Tho Bill was recommitted to allow consideration of the amendments.

The Hon. J. Allen (Minister of Defence) explained that provision had been mado for an attendant where it was necessary, and a clause had been inserted to provide for, the wife of a Maori member. The other clauses were only to make the Bill clearer. .

Sir Joseph Ward (Awarua) said that provision should be mado to pay tho pension to the mother of -a soldier's illegitimate children, especially if that soldier was afterwards disabled, and on his return married the mother.

Mr. G. Witty. (Riccarton) said that no consideration was given to the parents of soldiers. They might become in need of lielp, and if their sons were killed they had uo one to look to for aid.

■ Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton) said that tho House liad asked that greater provisions should be made when the Bill was sent back to the Committee. He held that unwarranted restrictions had been placed on dependents. Mr. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill) said that the illegitimate children should be placed oil the same status as legitimate children. '

The Hon., James Allen: So they are,

Mr. Hahan.:' Then comes consideration of the woman. There will not be-many coses, and-proper assistance should be given those women. It was not onlv to help her, but to help tho children she had to support. Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) said that it would be desirable to give tho woman the pension provided the disabled soldier married her.

Tlio Hon. J. Allon said that he had widened the' clause, and he hoped honourable members would not ask that the door should be opened too wide. If they did what members suggestea a married man might como back, divorce his wife, and then marry the. mother of his illegitimate children, in order to get her the pension. He held tho clause was quite wide enough. Mi - . A. E. Glover (Auckland Central) said that care should be takcn_ to guard against a young soldier changing his allotment on the eve of his departure, and so leaving his parents without aid. Sir Joseph' Ward (Awarua) said that cases might occur where children would be born out of wedlock'to a soldier, while his iVifo might be living away from him, and have no children. It should not be right that the pension should go to her if tho soldier _ was killed, and the mother of tho children be left without a pension. Induce Soldiers to Marry. Mr. J. Vigor Brown (Napier) held that disabled soldiers should bo induced to marry the mothers of their children, and the pension to the woman might be an inducement. Mr. C. H. Poole (Auckland West) said that they did not desire to get the Bill so- complicated that people would take advantage _ of it, but he thought the instance cited by the Minister was very unlikely to occur. Ho hoped the Minister would see his way to safeguard tlie clause, and still provido for the mother who married the soldier on his return.

Mr. 0. J. Parr (Eden). said that the question was a difficult one, anfl at first lie had been disposed to oppose it, but there was the further point that any measure that would encourage legitimation should be supported. Mr. T. A. H. Field (Nelson) said that the way to look at the matter wa,s that it would allow a man to carry out his "obligations. Referred to Defence Committee. Sir Joseph Ward., said that, as . thq classes oad aot bs.en ths

fence Committee,, it would bo wiso to refer them to t'lio Committee for consideration.

After further discussion, Tho Jit. Hon. W. F. Massey (Prima Minister) moved that all the clauses should be referred to the Defence Committee.

Progress was reported, and the Supplementary Order Paper containing tho amendments was referred to the Secret Defenco Committee for consideration and report. expiring laws. The Hon. A. L. HERDMAN (Attorney General) moved tho second reading " 10 Expiring Laws Continuance Bill, the object of. which, as he explained, was to extend the term during which certain war measures should operate, until August 31, 1916., The Bill was read a, second time. LAND HELD IN TRUST. . The Settled Land 'Amendment Bill (the Hon. A. L. Herdman) was committed. The effect of this Bill, Mr. Herdman said, would be to malco our law relating to tho sale by the trustees of land held by tliem for the benefit of other persons identical with tho law of England. _ It will give tho Court power to autliorjse the sale of settled land under certain circumstances prescribed. Tho Bill was reported without amendments. The House rose at 9.10 p.m.