SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 215, 30 May 1918, Page 6

SECOND DIVISION LEAGUE

GOVERNMENT REPLIES TO DEMANDS NO EXTRA ALLOWANCES REPATRIATION SCHEME TO BE CONSIDERED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WHAT IT REALLY MEANS The Minister of Defence has communicated to the Second Division tho decision of Cabinet on the recent demands by a delegation from the conference of the league in the following statement-.--The Government has not granted the demand for an additional separation aliowanco to the wifo of three shillings a day, but a promise is given, that the suggestions for bettor provision for the repatriation of tho men on their return will be considered.

Following is the text of the letter:— May 29, 1918. Dear Sir,—Cabinet having carefully considered the proposals submitted by the two deputations from the Second Division League, I am now in a position to givo you a reply. The league asked that:— 1. Tho separation allowance for tho wifo of a soldier should be 6s. per day, and that 3s. of tho soldier's pay should be held as deferred pay until his discharge. 2. The separation allowances should be to:— Per week. . .. jßs. d. A. widowed mother (i£ wholly dependent) 110 0 Guardian of motherless children 10 0 JJach motherless child 0 15 0 Chronic invalid wife (extin) ... 0 10 0 Chronic invalid child (extra) (or other dependant) 0 5 0 Invalid father or invalid brother or sister (if wholly dependent) 1 0 0 Brothers and sisters under children's age (if whoily dependent) 0 10 6 M'ar, old age, and widows' civilian pensions to .be exclusive as concerning the übovo provisions. Tho answer to 1 and 2 ie that tho present separation allowances are to stand.

The Government will give sympathetic consideration to improvements in its repatriation ■ scheme, and particularly so in respect of tho returned soldier who on disohargo cannot be placed in suitable employment. I havo to thank the deputation for tho proposals submitted for repatriation referred to in this letter as No. 11, and have already taken steps to have them carefully considered. It may take somo timo to evolve a satisfactory scheme, but ..you may rest assured that every effort will be made to remove the fear a eoldier may have that on discharge he will not be in a position to provide for himself, his wife, arid dependants. With regard to separation allowance for the widowed mother, you. will remember that the income which debarred the widowed mother from receiving the allowance has been increased to 15s. per week. This will make the widowed mother in receipt of full old-age pension and -the war bonus, also the widow-, ed mother in receipt of widow's pension on account of her children, eligible for tho allowance. Provision has also been made to pay n separation allowance to dependants being relatives of tho soldier (other than wife, widowed mother, and children) equivalent to the amount the soldier provided during twolvo months prior to his enlistment, with a maximum of 10s. Cd. per week. 3. Grants be made by the Financial Assistance Board covering such obligations as will ensure to each wifo a clear not minimum income of JC2.2S. per week (or •-ClO9 4s. per annum) with children's allowance extra. Answer.—Tho present policy of the board is to meet recurring obligations, so that a minimum net income of ,£9O is left for the wife after her rent, lodging, etc., has been provided foi. The •£!)!) is to stand, but I remind you it is a minimum only, and for a wife without children.

I have reason to believe that some of the delegates who attended the recent tonierenee were under an entire misapprehension as to the policy adopted by the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board in administering the regulations. Tho impression on their minds was that tho board's minimum of <£90 is also its maximum, irrespective of the civil standard of the soldier and his dependants beforo enlistment. This is quite wrong, and it is difficult to understand how such an impression could become ais ooinmon as it appears to be, because the Second Division Executive has a representative on the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board, and must be aware through him that tho financial nssistance regulations are being used to maintain as far as possible the pre-war standard of living. So far as I am aware, this representative is now familiar with the policy of the board and with tho manner in whicli it gives effect to that policy in its administration, and one can only assume in tho übsenco of any official protest that ho is satisfied that the hoard is dealing equitably with each case according to its individual merits. I fail to understand, therefore, why tho Second Division League should so frequently suggest a want of confidence in thr board's administration.

I wish again to stress the fact that, tho Soldiers' Financial Assistance Regulations wore devised to prevent undue ■financial hardship by reasnii of military service, and it must be obvions that there can bo no undue financial hardship where the dependants are in receipt of military allotment and allowances that exceed, or equal or even come to within, say, .£SO, of the husband's civil earnings. The latter amount' is .given as a very conservative estimate of the cost of tho soldier's food, clothing and sundry expenses when at home in civil life. As a matter of fact, in hundreds of eases the wife of the soldier is now handling far more money for the exclusive use. of herself and children than her husband could possibly have allowed her in civil life.

The policy of the board is to allow a net minimum of £% to the wife clear of recurring obligations in all cases whero tho husband is in receipt of a salary of about ,£l6O or under a year. All ordinary obligations over and above that sum are paid by tho board, and as the hoard does not pay «i portion of such items as rates, insurances, etc., it often happens that a grant is made which leaves the wife a net income of up to j!9, r ) per annum even though her husband was only in receipt of a salary of iCIGO or less a year. I am sure it will he admitted that very few wives of men in receipt of £M or less per annum ever handled £W net for their own food, clothing, and pleasure. The public would bo surprised to know the very large number of case 3 which come before flio Financial Assistance Board where the. total earnings of tho husband are only .£l5O 'per annum. If he paid only a rent of ,£2G per annum and his food, clothing, and sundry espouses cost him only ,£52 per annum, it can easily bo seen that he could not have allowed his wife anything lilte j£i)o per annum for her exclusive use out of his civil earnings. This net minimum is increased according to tho civil income of the husband, each case, of course, being dealt, with nn Us merits until, in the of the anldifa in receipt of a civil income of .£.lllO or over, the .board is prepared to consider a grant for all recurring obligations, leaving (he wife a net income for food and clothing of JJIIB 12s. Gd. This represents her husband's allotment of 3s. Gd. and her separation allowance of 3s. per diem. Jt has to be remembered that the Soldiers' I'inancial Assistance Board in considering this minimum for wife only does not take into consideration any 'income , derived from a wife's earnings. Tho Government has definitely decided that

a wife's earnings shall not be taken into consideration, because it wishes to encourage tho wives of soldiers, if they so desire, to take up occupations during liioir husbands' absence on service. Tho board, however, does take into consideration a wifo's incomo from other sources, such as investments, rent of property, etc., but seldom reduces assistance that woiild otherwise be given to tho extent of this independent income. 1 can best illustrate this by quoting an actual case. An applicatiou was recently made for a grant to meet rates and insurance, totalling ,£l7. The total "civil income was just under JMOO per annum, and this included £2S accruing from an investment owned by the wife. The board jiaid the insurance premiums amounting to ajwiit X'B, leaving the wife l«r full military incomo from allotment and allowance of JSIIB 12a. Gil., plus her private income of .619, being the balance after meeting £3 for tho rates, or a total of .£137 12s. Gd. If that J;2B had been earned income tho board would have paid tho whole ,£l7 for rates and insurance The public will bo able to appreciate the policy of the board when I stnto that in 77 cases of married soldiers recently dealt with, a net minimum of J!9O-J;95 per annum was allowed to the wives in 25 cases; of J;95 to .£305 in 2S cases; and of JEIOS or over in <>i cases. Tims in two-thirds of the total eases the board allowed the wives a net amount for food and clothing, etc., well m excess of its minimum. i say unhesitatingly so far as wives with children are concerned that very many families indeed 'will be far better oft financially than ever they were when depending on their husbands' civil earnings. This is self-evident when it is remembered that the wife, with one child, will receive by way of allotment and separation allowances (assuming (hat the husband is a private only) a ° cash income of £M per annum; with two children, .£173 7s. (id.; with three children, .£2OO 155.; with four children, J22S 2s. Cd.; and with five children, .0255 10s Whether the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board will make a grant to meot recurring obligations in such cases will depend entirely on the salary the soldier received before joining the" Expeditionary Force. I wish also to point out that the scope of the regulations has boon extended and liberalised from time to time in order to provide special grants which were not contemplated when this system of assistance was brought into force. For instance, in addition to the ordinary recurring obligations, such as interest, rent, rates and taxes, insurance, etc., the board is prepared to make a special grant to wives to meet tho expenses of confinements and surgical operations and other reasonable and necessary expenses. The most recent decision of Cabinet will enable the board to make a cash grant in aid of maintenance in special cases, with a view to preserving as far as possible a wife's pre-a'ar standard of living:. This is in accordance with the principle embodied in tho recent amendment of the Pensions Act. It must also bo remembered that tho Public Health Department has advised the public hospitals of the Dominion lhat it ie prepared to pay tho cost of treatment in hospitals of. the wives and children of soldiers on active service, irrespective of tho military or civil status of tho soldier.

1 i. In casoa where an old life insurance policy is in existonce for a less amount than ,£3OO, the reservist shail have the right to increase his insurance to ,£3OO, and premium and war risk thereon shall bo paid by the Financial Assistance Board in cases where- a graut of financial assistance is iustified. Answer.—l informed tho deputation that the Financial Assistance Board had already adopted this policy. 5. Tho Government bo asked to amend tho financial assistance policy in thu matter of fixing the allotment of a successful applicaut at 3s. Gd. per day, the additional Gd. being calculated to relievo tho board, and not assist the soldier or his dependants. Answer.—There is. no desire on the part of tho Government or of the board to seek relief in the.way suggested, but it is deemed fair that the soldier who iu civn life hail to meet certain recurring obligations out of his pay, if he asked the board to take over some or all of these obligations, eUa'jld out of his pay allot 3s. (jd. per day. This compulsory allotment of 3s. Cd. per day is required equally of the single- and married soldier whose obligations are met by tho board. 6. Allocated pay and allowances sliaii not be affected by the misconduct of the soldier. Answer.—l informed tho deputation that: (a) Confinement to barracks does not affect pay. (b) Net rate of pay (i.e., tho amount payable to tho eoldieV himself in the field) is forfeited whilst undergoing detention or field punishment, allotments and allowances not being affected, (c) Gross rate of pay is forfeited when a soldier is imprisoned or when forfeiture of pay is awarded as part or whole of the punishment by commarding officer or court-martial, or Hinder ltoynl Warrant, for absence without leave. Allotments are suspended when gross pay is forfeited for periods exceeding ono month—under that period forfeitures arc adjusted with issues of field pay. Allowances continue, but not for longer periou than six months, (d) For member of the N.Z.E.F. incapacitated through venereal disease or other disease, the result of misconduct, a hospital shppage : .s made of 2s. per day. (o) In case of desertion pay and allowances cease. This question will receive further consideration, and I shall be pleased to inform you at an early date of Hie conclusion arrived at.

7. Three clear months between medical examination and entry into camp .bo strictly adhcreci to. Answer.—l informed tho deputation that this would be carried out, unless any unforeseen contingency arose which would justify departure from tho practice now in operation. 8. Sine die exemptions ho reviewed. Answer.—A full statement of the position was Riven to the deputation, and 1 understood the explanation was satisfactory. (a) Cl men bo given one month after medical examination to make any temporary domestic and business arrangements before being ordered to parade for tho physical training camp, (l>) Reservist be given one month's testing in the physical training camp to test his fitness. If ho bo proved unfit, givo him his discharge at once. (c) If the Cl reservist be proved medically fit after the try-out, that he be given two months' leave of absence so that he may return to his homo and make final arrangements for his dependants and the disposing of his business, preparatory to his going into the reinforcement. Answer.—At present the Cl reservist of the Second Division is treated as a fit man, and is given three months between medical examination and being called to camp. These three questions are now receiving careful consideration, and I shall be pleased to communicate further with you on this subject at an early date. 10. Ago limit for children for pension be 18 years for male and 21 for female. Answer.-I regret that this cannot be a"recd to. You are no doubt aware that the war pensions legislation provides that a pension payable to any female child may, if tho board thinks fit, be continued until she attains the age of 17 years, and a pension payable to any child suffering from any mental or bodily infirmity may be continued for such period m the board thinks fit.

11. In nny repatriation scheme the Government adopt the principle of extending State responsibility to all soldiers and the dependants from discharge or demobilisation until full rehabilitation in civil life. Answor.—l have dealt with this under 1 and 2. 12. Immigrants should not repinnp men called up for service with the N.Z.E.F. Answer.—The Hon. G. W. Russell gave an answer to this question, which I understood was satisfactory to tho deputation. 1:1. Land Settlement. Answer.—Tlie Hon. D. H. Giithrie gr.ve an answer to this question, which I understood was«satisfactorv to the depuration. I desire to assure you that the Government will do everything possible to bring aboul satisfactory settlement of returned soldiers on land. I! Protection of businesses of reservists. \ nsvvcr.—The Government desires as i'nr as possible to conserve the businesses or but the matter is one of considerable difficulty. Cabinet in Jamiarv IM7 agreed to the order, of reternn'ce for'the National Efficiency Board submitted by me as Acting-Prime Minister. I forward r°u a copy of fho uieino-

riuiclmii. Please note *Order of roferoiico No. Jl, page i, «nd appendix "U," "Maniigciupnt of soldiers' huainessca or industries." Tlio proposals of your league have been submitted to the National Kfficiency Board, and tlie question will Iμ again discussed with them at their next meeting.

I also forward fParliamenl-ary paper H -13, being report of the National Efficiency Board, and 'call attention to paragraph 2, under the heading "Organisation—trustee boards and committee of advice."-Yours faithfully,

(Signed) J. ALLEN, Minister of Defence. •Tlio reference to the powers of tho Efficiency Hoard is as follows: "To draw up proposals for the eilicient carrying on (il the farms and businesses of men who have been obliged to leave them owing to the war."

fTlie other reference is: "There has linen formed a Commercial- and Professional Committee of Advice, whose members avere recommended by tho- Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. This coininitteo will deal with and advise on matters relating to all commercial and professional subjects, ami will also give material assistance in connection with the businesses of men of the Second Division who are called up. Similarly business boards exist in Auckland, Wellington, and Otngo, where they will bo added to as occasion requires. Although the Government iias been requested to approve the appointment of individual members of llii! trustee boards, committees, and advisers, the board wishes to place on record that it has only submitted tho names 1 of gentlemen who, in tho opinion oi the District Commissioners, are possessed of special qualifications and business capacity."