The Dominion. FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1917. WAR OBLIGATIONS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3141, 20 July 1917, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1917. WAR OBLIGATIONS

Tire Second Division delegates now sitting in conference actcd wisely in voting out a proposal that tho pay of soldiers should bo increased from the existing rate of five shillings a_ day. The married recruit as an individual is in no way entitled to more liberal treatment _ than the men of the First Division, and the fact that the members of this division and a not inconsiderable number of married men. have been paid at the standard rate of five shillings a daj during nearly three years of war is enough to discredit any agitation for an increase at the present stage. It might indeed be urged that an increase in the rate of pay would bo an act of justice to the First Division as well as a concession to the Second Division, but even from the standpoint of the First Division it is obviously much better that whatever funds are available should be devoted to liberalising pensions, to promoting soldier settlement, and to other similar purposes than that pay should beincreased. It is qui to evident that if it had adopted tho views of the minority advocating increased pay, the Second Division conference would have been sidetracked and turned a-sido from the essential object of securing the best possible provision for dependants. The demand of tho Second Division more liberal financial provision than is at present grafted gains its force solely from the consideration that the dependants of soldiers, and soldiers themselves if they are broken in body and health, have an indisputable claim upon the State. That claim is not at present met as it should be, but it is by_ increasing allowances and pensions, and not by increasing military pay, that tho State will best meet its obligations to soldiers and their families. The Second Division League is and should bo essentially a body devoted to the_ protection of family interests, and it is a matter for congratulation that 1 this conception of its functions found favour with a big majority of tho conference_ dclogates in yesterday's proceedings. Tie conference has materially strengthened its hand by its attitudo in this respect.

In dealing with other matters tho conference approved a number of proposals that can only bo regarded as fair and reasonable. The existing separation allowance of a shilling a day to a wife and ninepence a day to a child is admittedly quite inadequate, and tho demand of the conference that in the case of the wife the separation allowance should be increased to six shillings <a day and that the allowance to children should bo doubled is not excessive. The result would be to place somo families in a better position than when their breadwinner'was in civil occupation, but in a considerable number of cases a material sacrifice would still bo entailed. As regards both allowances and pensions, there is a great deal to bo said for the conference proposals that special consideration should be granted to the invalid dependants of soldiers. More debatable' questions _ wevo opened up by tho cpnferenco in its treatment of the main heads of pension claims, and it must be said that in some cases _ the demands framed invite rejection. In nartiicular, the demand that the childless widow of a soldier should be paid a pension of £2 12s. Gd. per week does not commend itself to common sense. Somo of the other demands go rather beyond what the Government and Parliament may reasonably be expected to concede, but tho proposal made on behalf of childless widows is most obviously open to objection. Tho conferenco in this matter departed unwisely from tho rational policy advocated by one of its members—that they should go to tho Government with iin irrcduciblo minimum which they could stand by to a man. It has to be remembered that though the Dominion is well able to fulfil its just obligations to injured soldiers and the dependants of soldiers, it is not in a position to make lavish provision for those who do not need it. If tho Government embarked upon any such foolish policy, the first to suffer would be the soldhrs and dependants of soldiers who have a better claim. Tho''case for improving as liberally as possible upon tho existing rate of pensions is sound and does not need arguing, but tho conference would be wiso to revise tho demands it t pproved yesterday before it submits them to tho Government. Presenting them as they stand, it will weaken its whole case and badly servo the interests it reP T e subjccfc to which tho conforcnco

may profitably dcyote some attention is that of fchc aid' grauted to soldiers through the agency of the Financial Assistance Board. This body power to make grants not exceeding £2 per week to enable soldiers to meet such civil obligations US rent, insurance premiums, in- ' terest oil mortgages, or the cost of managing a business in the soldier's absence. Up to tho end of May the Board had, made grants in 1089 cases, as against :io2 applications declined or .withdrawn, and available information goes to show tint assistance granted in this way is very valuably supplementing the ordinary separation allowances. Apart from the relief granted to men who' havo business obligations, 'olio grants of the Financial Assist- ' ance Board will enable many families to maintain their homes instead of being compelled to breai them up and go into lodgings. This is a most commendable provision, and one which no doubt will be \yidely appreciated. Conditions in regard to the payment of insurance premiums have' not been clearly defined, but in this and other details the conference may bo able to secure tho useful extension of tho scheme. The Minister of Defence has indicated that lie is quite prepared to 1 meet the' reasonable demands of the Second Division in regard to pensions, allowances, and financial aid, and provided it frames its proposals with reason and moderation the er.nference now sitting should be able : to do good service in indicating !he lines on which the liberalising process should procced. Delegates _to 1 the conference should recognise, however, that to press obviously unreasonable demands would necessarily tend to defeat the praiseworthy objects they have in view.