COST OF OUR ARMY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2816, 6 July 1916, Page 6

COST OF OUR ARMY

STATEMENT BST THE PRIME MINISTER-.': A statement iu regard to soldiers' pay and separation allowances-was, made in the House yesterday by the Prime Minister. ' Mr. Massey said ihat the Government was just as anxious us any member of the House to do all. that it possibly could lor the soldiers, and to provide for them and their dependants. It was quite impossible to give full compensation in money for the sacrifices,. ~.of the widows and orphans of men who had been killed or those o£ the soldiers 'who were incapacitated. The Government had a very serious responsibility at present in connection with the Expeditionary Force, and it must go carefullj'. Our present expenditure lvas over a million a month. Members were in the habit of saying that soldiers were paid five shillings a day. It was true that a single private's pay was five shillings a day for seven days a week, whilst the wives of inarried men received an extra seven shillings a. week as separation allowance, with a further Us. lid.'per week for. each child. Besides this pay, however, the Government was responsible to the Imperial Government for the food and clothing of tho men. The Government had not yet been ablo to obtain a definite settlement with the Imperial Government ill regard to the cost of food and clothing. He understood, however, that it was approximately four shillings a day. They were not likely to have a settlement with the. Imperial authorities until tho end of the war. There were also other expenses, ineluding tho cost of transports, medical attention, and camp equipment. Altogether it was reasonable to assume that overy soiilior at tho front was costing the Dominion not less than ten shillings a day. Mr. Witty: The soldiers do not get that. : ■ Mr. Massey: I have made that clear. I am-speaking of the cost to tho country. I do not begrudge it, and I would not begrudge it if every man cost the country a pound a day.. Mr. Poland: That does not help the children. Mr. Massey: No, but-1 am showing the necessity for caution in connection with our financial, arrangements. I assure the House that so far as the Government is concerned there will be no cheeseparing in connection with'our soldiers. Mr. Poland: There is evidence of it. Mr. Massey said that the Defence Minister had assured the House that he would bring the matter before . tho Cabinet, aiul it would como boforo the Cabinet, Mr. Witty: Will the Govornment act in the matter? Mr. Massey said that members must recognise that with our rapidlv-inoreas-ing expenditure it was necessary to be extremely careful. »