SOLDIERS' PENSIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 174, 17 April 1919, Page 3

SOLDIERS' PENSIONS

VARIOUS NATIONS COMPARED, How does the British soldier compare with the soldiers of other <;oun tries in the pensiops provision made for him He appears (says a writer in the .London li. A e iVi to be better flff tllfta most in .the Allied and enemy countries, but not perhaps so advantageously placed as the American or as his fellows in the remoter parts ot the Empire. Superficial comparison, however-that made from one set of figures-is apt to be- fallacious, since the cost of living in tho different countries may prove an effective set-off to an apparent superiority. Prom the following scale of- annual pensions to private sbldiers totally disabled 'by. war service deductions may (he «iya) cautiously be drawn;— .

_ United 1 Kingdom.-Under the -Royal Warrant of 1918, the pension, is ,£7l ltL with allowance of .£l7 10s. for child to .£lO 16s. for each child' alter .-.the second under 16 years of age. For the period from November, 1918, to June, 1919, a bonus of 20 per cent, is added. " France.-Under the lr.w of 1831 the Irench pension is .£4B, and £i for each child. But a new Bill has passed the Chamber, been through the Senate, and is now before the Chamber with tho Son< ates amendments; Italy .-Under tho laws of 1916 and 1917 the soldier is entitled to .£SO; but if he is married: .£lO to .£l2 is added for his wife, and .£5 to JPi 10s. for each child under 12 years. Tho United States.—Tho Aot of 1917 gives the soldier .£75; if married ,£ll2 10s., and ,£25 for each child up to three under 18 years. Canada—The Orders of 1916-18 provide for .£125, if married £M, and .£2O for' c.ach child, boys under 16 and trirls under 17. ' Australia—The soldier 'receives, undor Hie Acts of 19J4-16, .£7B; if married, and .£26 for. the first to .£l3 for each child after the second under the 0.%e of 6. New Zealand.—The Acts of 1915-17 give £M; if the soldier is mnrried, .£156. and £&i for each child under 16 years. Germany.—The Law of 1906 gives from £% to, according to the nature of tho disablement. From January 1, 1919, ow ing to the higher cost of living, tho poneion is increased from 50 to 100 per cent., according to the degree end nature of the disablement. The annual pension of. the war widow of a private soldier vafiea as follows in the different countries:— United Kingdom.—The amount is .£35 155., and ,£39 if tho widow is over 45' years of age; children's allowances and bonus as in the case of the disabled eoldier. Prance.—lf the husband died in action or through wounds in action," ,£22 10s.; otherwise, .£15.. Italy.—For a widow and two children, ;E25; .£2 for each child after the second under 18 years. The United States.—i 62 10s., and from £2a for the first to ,£l2 10s. for the third and fourth child* under 18 years. Canada— £IW, and S2O for each child, boys under IG, girls under 17. Australia.-,£52, and £W for the first to <£13 for each child after the second under the age of 16. New Zealand.—X7B to a childless widow, JBIO4 to a widow with children, and .£26 for each child imdor 1C years. Germany-—.£l9 165., with £8 6s. for each child under 18 years.