MEN ELIGIBLE FOR THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2953, 13 December 1916, Page 6

MEN ELIGIBLE FOR THE WAR

WITH FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

RELIEF SOUGHT

By Telegraph—Press Association,

Dunetiin, December 12. ; A deputation representing the Otago Patriotio Association waited on the Hon. J. Allen to-day with reference to the position of. men eligible'for the war, who have financial obligations. Cases were cited where men had financial responsibilities* and who would lose everything if they, went to the war. The deputation, suggested that an extension of tho Moratorium Act might meet the case, or the Government might .make a grant to assist men to keep their property together .till they came back. "-.'■'*

, In reply, Mr. Allen-said tho Government had only one course, to fix the pay for approximately the lowest paid labour in the country. A married man with one child received equal to £194 per year. With regard to tho man with a widowed mother of whom he was the sole support, Cabinet had decided to make a change. If tho widowed mollier was_orJy partially dependant on tho soldier she would receive a separation allowance, and if she lad £250 capital in tho Savings Bank or" elsewhere it would not count against her. If she bad an income of 7s. per w,eok, the separation allowance would still be paid to her. Men receiving £800 or £400 a year might be badly off if they had liabilities In regard to rent, insurance, etc. He was prepared io recommend the Government to make provision tor those eases. A* far as rent, insurance, and various other items were concerned, he had the basis of a proposal to submit, to ; the Government, but it was hold over pending consultation with the Military Sorvice Boards, which meet in Wellington on December 15 .to discuss this and other questions. He hoped the conference would result in definite proposals to Cabinet. The proposals were-'in concrete form to make some provision for men who otherwise would be exempted because of undue hardship. He thought tho scheme would meet a. great many difficulties that had arisen.

The Minister went on to,say that in almost every dlstriot farmers' unions and farmers had a rough and ready organisation whereby farmers were getting ,away, neighbours managing farms in their absence. That system, wan ted extending, and proposals were almost in concrete form. Farm labour, was a diffibult problem, and the boards would be informed that there .were; certain industries as essential as fighting at the front. Coal mining, the woollen, meat, butter, "and cheese industries were essential.

The question of utilising the labour nf the country for home 6ervioe had been before him for some time, and be had had before him proposals prepared by the Department regarding the matter. He would like to know whether the Labour people were prepared to discuss with the Government a problem of that kind. It was too big a proMom to face till Mr. pnd S'r .Tosooli Ward returned. The Hon. J. T. Paul had suggested that the Government; should take the whole people fot service al home at soldiers' pay with the allowances and wants made to soldiers at the front. The roan who built iid a business and was called up hv ballot might be exempted by, the Military Service Board if the case was one of undue hardship, hut that man might be moro urgently wanted at the front, and the Government mifbt have to do something to keen his business together. 'A' nronosal of that nature was embodied in the patters to be discussed on December 15.