WAR RELIEF

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2762, 4 May 1916, Page 5

WAR RELIEF

FOB SOLDIERS' CHILDREN LIMITATION CRITICISED. The question of the separation allow* ance of sixpence per day for the children of soldiers was discussed by the War Relief Association of Wellington yesterday afternoon. The association was notified that the allowance had been altered from carrying: a limit of 2s. to a limit of 2s; Gd;—-from . four : cliildren to five children. '

Mr. D. M'Lareir said ' that t'nero should he no limit, to the number of vliildren respecting whom the allowance tvould be paid for. The restriction waa adversely atfccting recruiting, and on the other hand was casting a heavy bur* den on soldiers' wives. Under the charitable aid system ss. per child was allowed, and often it was not enough. Mr. J. lltitclioson: It is no use tho Government saying it is short of money.: The country is full of money. I agree Ivith Mr. M'Laren that it'is cheeseparing, and very foolish cheeseparing. Mr. C. M. Luke: It seems to me that tho large families should-not be penalised. A member: No; there should be a premium for them. Mr. C. M. Luke: Yes; the payment should he made up to any number. It was resolved to thank the ing Board for having" extended th® number to fivo children/ and to emphasise a desire that the number should bo unlimited. Further, it was "decided to sail the board's attention to the, fact, that tho families of non-com missioned officers and men who aro in' the camps Ore not receiving this separation allowance.