WAR PENSIONS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2606, 30 October 1915, Page 4

WAR PENSIONS

We continue to receive an increasing number of) letters complaining of the uncertainty which exists under the War Pensions Act as to the amount of pension which will be paid to dependents of a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces who loses his life in the service of his country. The Act prescribes the amount which minj bo paid, but it does not fix any minimum payment. The matter is left entirely at tho discretion of a- Pensions Board of three persons, appointed by the Minister. Parliament, when it passed tho War Pensions Act, did not provide that dependents should Jiave tho right to a pension of a fixed amount, though members expressed the opinion freely enough that no Government would tiarc to permit of injustice being done or of niggardly treatment being meted out to the dependents of those who had laid down their lives for their country.' But the professions of members of Parliament, however admirable, have not tho weight of an Act of Parliament, and so we find many married meiv ready and willing to serve their country who arc deterred from enlisting because of the uncertainty which attaches to the future of thos© dependent on them should they fall victims to the war. A man who has saved a little money ancl got together a home rightly feels that this should not disentitle his wifo and family, to tho full benefits of the pension, and it is especially discouraging to such men to picturo their dependents forced to plead with a Pensions Board for that which should be theirs by right. There should be a minimum amount which dependents of fallen soldiers could look, to as a right. Parliament, or at any rate the Government, was greatly eonccmed over tho possible cost to the country of a liberal scale of pensions, but if ever there was a class of pension connection with which there was justification for liberality it is tho war pension provided for the dependents of the men who offer their lives in this great war. The question of tho right to this pension has now become one of such, importance that' the Government cannot afford to ignore tho dissatisfaction which exists concerning it. Wo would suggest to the- Pruie Minister that he should consider the advisableness of consulting his colleagues with a view to giving an assurance that one of tho first steps to be taken when Parliament meets will bo to amend the War Pensions Act to provide that in all cases dependents entitled to war pensions shall receive a certain specified amount by right, irrespective of their private means. It may be suggested that the Pensions Board will not deal harshly or unfairly by anyone. Perhaps not; but if the Government aro confident on that point then there is tho less reason for objecting _to an amendment of tho Act which will guarantee absolutely what they are now confident will be granted. A iTHin going out to risk his life should at least be given that ease of mind which may oomc from a definite assurance that his dependents can look forward with certainty to a State pension of a reasonable amount. The burden on those who have to pay is a small thing compared with tho sacrifice that is made by tho man who lays down his life for their benefit. Mr. Massey will,, we trust, sec his way to mako an early and favourable announcement on this subject.