SECRET SESSION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 1, 26 September 1917, Page 6

SECRET SESSION

MINISTERS MEET MEMBERS WAR MATTERS DISCUSSED S) FURLOUGH FOR ' MAIN BODY 1 1NCREASED PENSIONS AND - .ALLOWANCES .'■'."' .Members of; the;- House of Beprcse&ta- ": . tives'-mot l the : Ministers, at a "round '■'.■. table" conference last night in order to .receive.a statement,regarding, the Government's proposals for increased pensions and allowances, and to discuss mat- ; ters connected with the war. There was a full attendance of members. The proceedings were private, and eubsoqcUMitly the Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) handed an official report to a representative of Thb Dominion. .'■''■. The official report announces that it has been found impossible to arrange furlough "for the Main Body men, and gives 'eoino :■■ figures regarding the increased expenditure, invotvea in the new scale of pensions and allowances. The details of the proposals are not given. The report was as follows:— '■;■■■ THE MAIN BODY. ■"At the meeting .of members information was oonveyed, with very much regret, that there were difficulties and dangers in carrying out the scheme for the granting of furlough to members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and . these difficulties were of such, .moment that it had become necessary to cancel .the arrangement. The position wasvfully explained to members, and the following ~ resolution was passed:— : Members of tie New Zealand ! House of Representatives at this conference assembled, with all the information which has been supplied to them,' unanimously but most regretfully agree that the proposals for giving furlough, to the Main Body so that they might be able to visit th»ir homes in New Zealand cannot under existing circumstances be given effect to. "Knowing tho great disappointment, to the men who liave given such untiring and devoted service on behalf of their country and the Empire and howgnevSsl their next-of-kin and the people in New ■ Zealand must be, the Government -placed .'.•■ all.the facts before members of Parliament. ■' • ' , ■'~.' "It only remains to ask the relatives ■'■ of men at the front and the publio to accept with fortitude the change which of necessity to be made. To the men 'the assurances must go out that this disappointment makes them more dear to their own people in New Zealand who .share the disappointment with .them. 7 "New iZealanders fully recognise how the members of the Expeditionary Force have playedtheir. part, and are fully assured, they will continue to do. so. It "•will be a consolation to those at t<lo •front to realise that the people of the dominion have made up their minds to play thnir part bravely also, and that " Ihev will wait with added eagerness: the end'of the war and the return of their loved ones to their hornet? in this country. PENSIONS AND ALLOWANCES. • The Government , proposals for increases, in pensions- and in allowances were placed before members. TJ'e Bill dealing with nensions will be introduced -without any delay. The proposed increased allowances to •wives, children, and other soldiers were explained to honourable members. . ■.„ The present liability, .for pen-- ' sions is : . U6.WO The, proposed increases on the • - presenMiability amount to ... 13(1,000 Estimated increased liability. ; .£573,000 If i no alteration were made in ; pensions, the estimated liability twelve months from now. ; would be :... ; 823,000 Under the proposals, the estimated liability twelve months , "from now would be ............... 1,063,000 Estimated increased liabil- : .. . itj- „.:......... • -£240,000 : 'Allowances to wives, children, guaidiacsi and widowed mothers:—, £ \ ■At present -ates •• -.3M.7SS At new rates : .. •-' ni.M ■■• Increase if brought into" ;-- ; operation at once jE358,676 The estimated liability at September, ' 30, 1918, for wives, children, guardians, and widowed-mothers:— • 'At present rates ■■■■ 5^,577 .At new rates 2,037.691 . . , Increase ......1.... .£1,098,114 'At the present rates the liability is '.£322,788. . : ■' \ . . 'New Tates at September 30, 1918, V£2 037,691, of w.hich .£939,577 is accounted for by increased number of wives and children./;; . ,\ ; ; " • increifee": -~,! ■ W^ Deduct :. ; • '- 339,5<7 ; leaving ■ J5775.326 ''for which the new rates alono aTe responsible.' '■■■ In twelve months the new rates involve an increased liability of— £ Pensions .'. ' 240,000 Allowances .»•' 775,326 Total .£1,015,326 Ministers and members were in conference for nearly four hours, and there was a thorough and frank interchange of opinions. Members. generally appeared satisfied afterwards that the experiment had been a success. They had gained information that would not have come their way in the ordinary course of Parliamentary procedure, and they had now a better idea of the difficulties as well as the intentions of tho National Government. "A GREAT "DISAPPOINTMENT" VIEWS OF PRESIDENT OF SECOND '. DIVISION LEAGUE. The president of the Second Division League, on being questioned regarding the new proposals, said: "It is impossible to deal with the figures critically, but a glance, at them is sufficient to show that the provisions are absolutely inadequate. Tho Government's proposals ■ will come as a great disappointment to members of the Second Division." •<• . ■ ,