The Dominion WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1915. WAR PENSIONS AND RECIPROCITY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2609, 3 November 1915, Page 4

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1915. WAR PENSIONS AND RECIPROCITY

The desirability of reciprocity Tictween New Zealand and Australia 'n regard to the payment of war pensions was referred to during the debate in the House of Representatives on the War Pensions Bill. It was then pointed out that in the absenco of any reciprocal arrangements cases of hardship and injustice to incapacitated soldiers and to the dependents of those who have fallen in battle could ■ hardly be avoided. There are no doubt men serving in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces who have dependents living in tho Commonwealth, and among the Australian troops there arc sure to be a good many soldiers who are responsible for the support of relatives residing in New Zealand. The necessity for some agreement between the two Governments as regards tho payment of pensions in such cases is quite obvious. Our attention has just been drawn to this matter by a letter which we have received from a member of the Australian Force now stationed at Rabaul in New Guinea. The letter, dated October 10, which is as follows, speaks for itself: — Sir,—l have noticed in New Zealand papers that some men are going to Australia to enlist. If any of these are married men, they will bo well advised not tn do anything of tho sort. Mino is a ease in point. I am a married man, my wife and family residing in New Zealand foi- several years. When the war broke out I happened to be ia Sydney, and enlisted in the New South Wales.Expeditionary Forces. Naturally,. I expected that my wife and family would bo entitled to a separation allowance, but I have received a letter through my Officer Commanding, sent from the Defence Department, Melbourne, as follows: "Tho separation allowance will not be paid to tho dependents of a soldier residing out 'of the Commonwealth." I also am informed that should a soldier be killed whilst on active service, his dependents aro, not entitled to receive his pension if they reside out of the Commonwealth. The matter should bo dealt with at once, as it is ma-it unjust. The experience of the writer of the above letter should be of interest to those New Zealandcrs who are, for various reasons, thinking of enlisting in Australia. He. has directed .public attention to a hardship which ought, if possible, to be removed. The New Zealand War Pensions Act has not altogether ignored the claims of dependents living outside the Dominion. During the discussion of the measure, Mr. Poland stated that the parents of a New I Zealancl soldier who had been killed | would receive nothing if they resided in Australia;- but the Minister of Defence pointed out that an amendment had been made in Committee which_ abolished the restrictions as to residence in the case of a father or mother, so that pensions will be paid to parents who mav be living [ outside New Zealand. The restriction as to residence applies to all other classes of dependents and to the disabled soldiers themselves. The Government of New Zealand cannot' be expected to sweep away all residential conditions as far as war pensions are conoerned unless Australia and other British communities arc willing to enter into a reciprocal agreement. There aro difficulties in the way of such an arrangement, but they arc not insuperable. The Minister of Defence seemed to have the possibility of a reciprocal tchemc in his mind when he told the Hmiw. thai payments to New Zealand wu pen-

sioncrs living in other parts of tlw Empire was a matter fur reciprocal arrangement with other countries which might agree to a defined policy with regard to residence outside. He went, on to say that it was good that we should have something in hand with which we could treat with other Governments in case we should desire some form of reciprocity. It ought not to be a very difficult matter for British communities to devise a workable schemc which would be fair both to the pensioners and to the countries concerned. New Zealand and Australia might, at any rate come to an understanding on this matter. Tho passing- of the Old Age Pensions Reciprocity Act of 1913 lias provided a precedent. This Act ratifies an agreement entered into 011 behalf of the Governments of Australia and New Zealand with reference to the payment of old-age pensions in either country to applicants who have been residents in the other. What is t.hero to prevent similar action with regard to war pensions? The Dominion and the Commonwealth are close neighbours, -and members of the same Imperial family, and the pensions are for soldiers who are fighting for a common cause.