SOLDIERS' MOTHERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 88, 7 January 1918, Page 6

SOLDIERS' MOTHERS

PROTEST AGAINST BASIS OF / MILITAM PENSIONS. .' By Telcßraph—Prtss Association. Auckland, January 6. A deputation from the Soldiers' Mothers' League interviewed the Hon. A. M. Myers and protested against the old age pension being taken into account in fixing the military pension to widowed mothers whoso sole support had been killed. Tho speakers declared that every consideration was given to the young wives of the soldiers, rtt the expense of the widowed mothers. Soldiers' widows received 80s. per week, and could earn as much more, while a mother had to live on 15s. per week. The deputation asked that tho widowed mothers should receive a pension of 30s. per week, exclusive of the old age pension. Mrs. Keesell said that she was Gl years old, and had live sons at the front, yet she was debarred from receiving any separation allowance, and Because she owned her home was refused an old ago pension. Mr. Myers expressed sympathy with tho league's views. Tho Government, he said, was as fully sensible of ita responsibilities to the mothers ,rs to the soldiers and their other dependants. It had been blamed for not giving enough to the wives, and now the deputation said it was giving them too much. There would be a Cabinet meeting on Monday and he would then bring their representations before his colleagues.