THE GRATUITIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 305, 20 September 1919, Page 8

THE GRATUITIES

fe dOVEgNMENT'S DECISION DECLARED ?:■> — \ i FLAT RATE OF Is. 6d. A DAY ' ' L:\ v. -.r- " ' ' VOTE TO EXCEED £6,000,000 , I ■ - ' "RETROSPECTIVE ALLOWANCES NMiATlie Government's scheme for tho payment of gratuities to members of the New ,'"Zetond Expeditionary Force was laid before the House of Representatives yester- > 'day afternoon by tho Minister of Defence (Sir .Tomes Allen). The presentation Kof-the paper was followed by a rather lieatetl debate in tho House, the particular • (point at issue being tho risfhb of members to have time for consideration beforo i.' discussing tho proposals.' !• : ' ' > ' I' The paper presented to the House was «s follows:— 1 ESTIMATED COST OP GRATUITIES AND ALLOWANCES TO MEMBERS OF THE NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITIO NABY FORCES AND TO NEW_ZBALANDBR.S WHO HAVE SERVED WITH IMPERIAL NAVAL AND MILI- , TARY FORCES. ; ' OVERSEAS WAR SERVICE C4RATUITY. re.; : | ; New Zealand Expeditionary Force. [. (a.) Estimated cost of paying the gratuity £■ . £ • . £ j at Is. 6(1. per day from embarkation to tlio signing' of peace—June 23, < 1919 ; 5,075,000 ' (!>.) Additional to provide for minimum I-.'. gratuity for two years' service in .. f : ' case of meitfbers deceased whilo on • .' |, ' active service abroad 1 225,000 r (c.) Additional to pvovitfe for minimum I. gratuity for eighteen months' tervice |, : in case of members evacuated to New Zealand from an nctual theatre I . of war on account of. sickness or . -.. I ■ wounds 213,000 | - . , 5,513,000 i;. l \ Jfew Zenf.anders in Imperial Naval and Military Forces. j (ft) Estimated eo/it of paying, the differjV'.r ence between Imperial and New f Zealand gratuity— ' f : (1.) Anny ' Rpservists and Imperii... ial soldiers 16,000 .. v, "(2.) N'aval Reservists and. mem«r, ' bers of Motoi'-boat Patrol ... 23,000 f V 59,00'j i.-... 5,552,000 y\ Retrospective and Other Allowance.. !• (e) Retrospective'children's allowance.' • 249,000 r,'(f) E-timated cost of increased. aT.l!wvance pV to'.widowed mothers otlw <le- [' ■ ■ pendants on Tevised basis of pre* If enlistment support up to a maxi- ... mum of 3s. a day with retrospective ' effect if necessary. SO,COO I , 299,000 (g.) Intimated cost of retrospective payjurat at Expeditionary Force rate ■< of pay to members of the New Zenfy'' land Expeditionary Force (including . Homo Service Branch) who received- ' . the .lower Territorial .rate of pay for ' • : the first calendar, month of''their ;■! ■ in camp/in New Zealand ... 97,000 i (h.) Estimated cost of paying tin.- differ- ; fince between . Imperial rates of pay I.' and allowances 'and New Zealand }•"' , rates for enuivalent ranks to Army and Navy Reservists, nurses, and !■ ' soldiers enlisted in Imperial-units, [• ..' and members. ,of the Motor-boat (■ Patrol, who were domiciled'in New Zealand— . (I.)' Married (Seas any supp'e- ' i '.mentary allowance already paid ' from New Zealand funds) . 18,840 ' (i) Singb ""J 100,380 |'i, V 496,380 ! • ' .£6,-048,380 | '' ; • . i PENSIONS. • It is'proposed v I ; i•:(a) To,.remove by legislation the restriction which now debars the payment "'of' a disablement pension to the wife of a disabled soldier who \ m " : marries outside' New Zealand after disablement, provided that tho marf ".-v: ' riage takes place during the period of his military service, i '• '(b) To give power by' legislation to the AVar Pensions Board to consider j. for pension special cases where marriage with a "disabled soldier" J. 1 - takes place more than two years after discharge, if special circum- | stances warrant the grant of a disablement pension. 1 ' LIFE INSURANCE. PREMIUMS. ! ' : ' If a returned soldier not in receipt, of a pension wishes to insure his life, i'.bit loading of premium on account of impaired health occasioned by service I'i'ihall be paid by the Government., provided thatrS iv.i:.. fa) The insurance is effected through the, Government Life Insurance Department. !'•■ ", (bVThe sum assured does not exceed J!sCfl. ' ' (e) The soldier makes application on or before. December 31, 1921. (d) Tho.soldier has ppid the ordinary premium. i-, Application should be) made to'the, secretary, ' Financial Assistance Board, , Panama' Street, Wellington. 1

;.'.■■' r; Overseas War Service Gratuity. I: 1. ,Tbo scale in accordance-with which ['tlie-' amount of bonus payable as'an (.'overseas War service gratuity to mem-t'SSers-.ot .the, New Zealand Expeditionary i I'orce navtng. l)een fixed at is. (Id. per ['.day "by Oriler-rn-Oounuil, tne said graS'tuity will be determined subject, to the I" -following 'conditions. i ,';2; The gratuity cannot be claimed or I .recovered by. any person as a matter of ■ i Tight, i "'but'"6hall be deemed to be afreo the Stat6 in recognition of the J honourable service of members of the '. Expeditionary Forces in the present war, ,' land may in any case be withhold or deferred at the discretion of the Minister L of Defence. s ' 3.'Service for the gratuity will be acs.tive sorviao 'within '.periods beginning ■'August i, 1911, and ending on the datg ! of the signing of peace, viz., June 28. • 1919, inclusive, I '.. i. The gratuity will commence to "run i ; for each member, of (lie New 'Zealand t I'oreo from and including Sthe date of embarkation or re-cmbarka-|-Won from New. Zealand on active service, I or ; date of enlistment abroad in the New j. : Zealand Expeditionary Force, up to and {'including the date of decease or discharge i 'abroad./or the date of disembarkation on I return.to New Zealand, or June 28, 191!), ! /whichever comes first. [ - 5. In the case of' members who (lied while on active service beyond the seas ■the period for which the gratuity will pbo payable-:shall not be less than two !' : '(I. jn- 'case, of'members evacuated sick i or wounded from an actual th/nt»> "t i war and returned to New Zca'nnd as [■ unfit for further, overseas, service, - tho (period for which the gratuity will be repayable shall not be less than eighteen [ ! calendar months. The term "theatre of uwar" shall bo as defined in regulations l.'anproved from time to time for the issue ;.of. war medals. > :,'7. Except in the case of members who (wlicd on active service abroad, tiie followving'periods of service will not reckon pa*-qualifying- servico for tho purpose of [gratuity :— (a) Any' period for which gros? pay [■'• was forfeited by ftoyal Warrant. ["• (b) Any period of service exceeding !.."■'. ' twenty-eight days for which gross I pay was ordered to be forfeited.^ ?-' (c) Any period of service du.nng !'•- which hospital stoppages have been i.- charged for'illness the result of >' misconduct, or for illness cawed ;v by a soldier rendering himself unfit j. for service. I The above sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) •willnot apply to. any period of service f.-for which forfeitures have been remitj B.' The gratuity or balance of gratuilj 'in the case- of a'member not already disI char»ed or deceased will not bo issuable | earlier than twenty-eight days after his t-return-to New Zealand. 9 >\ny ovcr-pavment made to any [member or to his dependants or any public claim chargeable against him by ! a, Government Department, will be deducted from the gratuity. 10. Where it appears that any mem her has, while-in tho service., omitted to make proper provision for Ins wife and children, whether legitimate or illegitimate, or in Viy case, in which the err- ' juma'tances seem to him to so require i the Mini'stf- of JWeiicc' 'nun- direct that i fie gratu.itv be applied in or towards Uie i- •aaking o f -provision so .far as po'sib.o }.".» the w ; d wife or children or as the i circumstances may demand. Iho De,i fenco Department may pav to a person I or eociety considered to be able to ms-

tri'buto the money in the best interests of .the family. 11. In the caso of any member who, after service in the Expeditionary Force beyond tho seas, has died whilst still a member of that Force, ov who, after such service beyond the seas, has died after being honourably discharged from that Force, but without receiving «uch gratuity, the gratuty may be paid to or divided between his' widow, children, father, or mother, a» jirovided by section 7, sub-section (3), of the Expeditionary Forces Amendment .Act, 1918. 12. The gratuity "will not bo paid in tho case of an officer whoso services are dispensed with or who lias resigned or has been struck off th« strength from any cause which, in the upiniou of the General Officer Commanding, disqualifies him for the gratuity, j 13. The gratuity will not be paid in the case oi n soldierfa) Discharged with ignominy, or on account of misconduct, (b) Undergoing . a sentence of penal servitude, impris<,.cment. or detention at the expiratmn of which ho is discharged lincor (a\ above. 14. Application forms (E.F. Pay Form 192) for gratuity will be distributed to all post offices throughout New Zealand. These forms must 'be completed where necessary and forwarded to the Officer in Charge War Expenses, Wellington. In the case of deceased member* the applications should 1 be made bv their legal representatives. _ " . 15. AVhen the form is received in tho pay office it will bp numbered and dealt with strictly in order of receipt. Owing to tho very largo number of eases it will be some time before they can all be investigated, so that applicants must not oxpect payment at once. The application will be examined by the Fay Office and the gratuity calculated. The amount (his. will be remitted to the PostnA Department for either— (a> Depositing to the credit, of the applicant's present account in tho Post Office Savings Bank; or (h! Depositing to the credit of a Post Office Savings! Bank account which will be .specially opened if the.applicant has no other bank account; cite) I/odgincnt at any bank or private- ; savings bank in New Zealand at which tho applicant has a current account as slVSwn in tlie application; or (d) Payment tt> or for tho porson entitled wlner paragraph 11 hereof. In no case will the amount be paid direct to tlie membev by the Pay Office; Separation Allowance, N.Z. Expeditionary Force (Foreign Service Branch). 1. It has been approved that, the present rate of 3s. a (lay separation allowance pnyablo to the wives of warrant officers, non-eonimissioned officers, and lnfii of tho foreign service branch of the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force, or lo tho guardians of their motherless children, and tho present rate of Is. 6d. per day pakl on behalf of their children, shall apply with retrospective effect from tho data of the commencement of tho war—i.e., August i,' 1914—within periods of servico with , the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. • 2. These allowances are payable only, on behalf of soldiers who loft Now Zealand for- overseas service, and will commeiico to run frum the date of issue of the ■■ first military pay in each case, proi vided the soldier was. attached to an - overseas draft. No payment will be \ mads for any period in New Zealand - whilst the soldier was performing home

service duties. Whero the date of marriage or tho date of birth oi' a child is inter I'luui tlie date of tlio issue of first military pay tho married allowance will run from the date of marriage, and children's allowance from the date of tho birth of tho child. 8. Owing to the incomplete records in 1014 and 1915, and the consequent difficulty in ascertaining. tho actual dates Of tho first issue of pay, the following dates will bo adopted for the purposes < this order as the dates on which pay was first issued to men belonging to the undermentioned portions of tho Mew Zealand Expeditionary Force-.— Advance Fartv (Samoa), August 8, 1914 Main Body and Ist Reinforcements, August IS, 1914 2nd Keinforceweiits, Octobar i, 19U. 3rd Reinforcements, December 11, 1914 4th Reinforcements, January C, 1915. stli Reinforcements, February 10, 1915. 6th' Reinforcements, April 18, 1915. Rifle Brigade (Ist and 2nd Battalions), , June 3, 1915. i. Married allowance Las already beon paid as under:— , . • Warrant Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men. Wives— _ Is. a day from June 1, 1910, to December 31, 1917. 3s. a day from January 1, 1918. Guardians of motherless childrenIs. a day from Juno 1, 1915, to April 30, 1918. 3s. a day from May. 1, 1918. Arrears'are therefore payable as follow:— Warrant' Officcie, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men. WiveSr--38. a day from dates shown in paragraphs 2 and 3 to May 31, 1915. 2s a day from June 1, 1915, to December 31, 1917. Guardians of motherless children— 3s a day from the dates shown in ' paragraphs 2 and 3 to May 31, 1915. 2s a day irom June 1, 1915, to April 30, 11)18.' , '„ . 5. Children's allowance at the following rates lias already been paid ns under rb'd a day from June 1,1915, ,to Juno 30, 1916. ± 3d. n day from' July 1, 1916, to December 31, 1917. Is. a. day irom January 1, 1918, to April 30, 1918. Is. liu. a day irom May 1, 1918. Arrears arc therefore payable as follow: Is. 6d. a day Irom uates sliown in paragraphs 2 and 3 to May 31, 1915. Is a day from-June 1 1915, lo June 30, WIS. . ~ 9d. a day from July 1, 1910, to December 31, 1917. 6d. a day from January 1, 1918, to

was ready for circulation among members as soon as the motion was adopted. ■•■Sir Joseph Ward, Leader of the Opposition, suggested that tho matter should stand over in order that members might consider the proposals. The matter was very important, and tho projiosals hud been kcut unite secret, as far i;s he knew, bv tho Government -Members of the House miudit think that tho proposals wero sufficient or they might not. In aiiv case, it was only just J:hat they should have a chance to consider them before getting up in the House lo cxuress opinions. The Government should not trv to forco the discussion. Ho would be sorry, to move a motion, but he would have no hesitation in doing so, if necessary, in order to provide time *« members to consider the proposals. Tho Prime Minister: The honourable gentlemen can obstruct as much as he likes. ■ Sir Joseph Ward: lam not obstructing. Tho honourable gentleman has no right to sav it. Am I not entitled to speak on the matter P Mr. Massev: You have not vraitefl until I told the House what I intended to do. Sir Joseph Ward said lwhad understood from the Minister of Defence that the discussion was to proceed. I'lie matter was so important that he had an undoubted right to speak, and he .siiould not be told that he was obstructing. He might'be in agreement with the proposafo mndo by the wut lie reouired time to examine the proposals and consider the matter He should have an opportunity to confer with other members of the House. The uoverument should not attempt to force; such a matter through the Honse. Tho only other opportunity the House would have of discussing the gratuities was on an Appropriation Bill in the last; days oi the session. • Sir Joseph Wfflrd added that he appreciated the responsibility of the Government, but he hafi also a responsibility of his own. Air. Mnsaoy had no right to adopt an offcnsh'i! tone when a member of the House was making a perfectly reasonable request. "We are entitled to time," said hir Jtseph Ward, "and I ask that we be given time. I can take a course that will give us time, but I don't want to do that. lam asking tho Government that wo be given timo for consideration."

April 30, 1918. 6 The retrospective principle as regards married allowance of 3s. a day is also applicable to officers holding Oho rank of lieutenant or 2nd lieutenant up to December 31, 1317, on whose behalf married allowance lias been payable lrom January 1, 1918 to March 31, .1918, when the rate of officers' pay was increased and the allowanco ceased. Arrears aro therefore payable to their wives or to the guardians .of their motherless Children at the rate of 3s. a day ironi the dates snown in paragraphs 2 and 3 up to December 31, 1917, inclusive. Children s allowance, whether retrospective or otherwise, is not payable on behalf oi any officer. , .„ , ~ ~ , 7. The payee generally will be identical with the person wiio is drawing or has already drawn separation allowance, in case of misconduct, desertion, ur decease of the original payee, the Depai'l'iuuit reserves the right not to niako any payment, or to pay to a.person or society considered to be able to distribute the money in the best interest* ot tJio so - diet's fuiuih'. Any such amount shall not ba claimable by tho soldier. 8 In the case oi a deceased soldier payment will bo made up to the- date of decease, or to the date to which separation allowance or allotment was continued if later, but not alter December 31, 1917, lor married allowance, or April 30, 1918. for children's allowance. 9 Payment will only be issued on application, which slioulu be mode by. letter addressed to tuo officer in '""ft .ft" Expenses, Wellington. Tho iollowing particulars aie required:Regimental number, rank, and lull "name oi soldier, Keiuiorcomenti to which attached. Date of discharge or decease. Full name and address ol applicant. 10 There will lie deducted from amounts payable under this order any payments aireaoy made under the a - Wiority of Special Uenerai Order lbß ot 1919, which is hereby cancelled. 11 Widowed mothers and other dependants of warrant' otlictis, mm-coiuiuis-sioued officers, and men (except wives and children) who'have not allied ioi or received any dependants uilowniict, nW™/ai.pl»VlVtottoy-» Charge War dispenses, Wellington, to. an allowance. . r la; Appi.cants who have already leceived an allowance which has not been sufficient to'remove hardship during military service, either by ■ reason or an inaderiuate amount or by being paid for a portion only of tfte period of military service under limitations imposed by previous orders, may apply for thencases to be reconsidered. _ (b)Tho Soldiers' financial Assistance Hoard will investigate eachi application and recommend whether an allowance should bo granted to . those who.'have not'oppiied for or received an allowance, and to what extent, or whether the allowanco should be increased in tho ease ot tho«c who received an inadequate previously, or whether the . period in the latter case should . also be extended. fcl payments will be made by the olficcr in charge War Expenses according to the recommendation ot the Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board within periods of service troni the beginning of .the war. The rale available tor issue vill 1,8 governed by the extent of the pro-enlistment support of the solflier ldss any allotment ot pay made by him to or for the <ependnnt, with a maximum 0f..15., per day for each dependant, and less any pavmeiils already made under . previous authorities. (d) Pie-enlistment support will not be insisted upon in eases where circumstances have changed since the soldier's enlistment by reason ot • which the soldier became responsible for the full or partia maintenance of a widowed mother o other dependants. Each case will ' be considered on its merits bv tho Soldiers' Financial Assistance Board. ~ . , 12 None of the allowances authorised in this order, can be claimed ns a right, i",l are i*m«l at the discretion of tho Minister of Defence. Retrospective Payment to Members of the New Zealand Expeditionary FrW-p who deceived Territorial Rates of Fay for First Month ... Training Camps. U In cases where members of the New .Zealand Expeditionary l'orco (including foreign rind home service branches) received Territorial rates ot pav during the first month m training camps in New Zealand, hnr pay will bo made up to the Expeditionary Force rates in force at Hie lime from the date of first issue of military nay. lor the purposes hereof the provisions ot paragraph 3 shall apply to those portions of the New Zealand Expechtiona. v Force mentioned therein. Payment will h=> made bv the officer in charen. War Expenses, ''Wellington, on application only. ,■ , Allowances to New Zealnndcrs who have Served with Imperial Naval and Military Forces. ' 15 in Hie case of persons domiciled in New Zealand who linve served in the Imperial Naval and Military Forces duriu" the war. the difference between Hie Imperial rates of pay, allowances, and trratuilv and the New Zealand rales for the same for equivalent ranks will be paid, less anv amounts already received Under previous authorities. For the purposes of such payment the pav of a nrivate or emiivnlent rank in Imperial Forces shall be taken to be one shillinr and sixpence per day. Applications should bo made In the Paymaslor-Gen-eral, Treasury. Wellington, who will arrange payment.

AN OPPOSITION DEMAND

TIME. T'OTC rONSiI DERATION. Tim Minister of Defence (Sir .Tames AllciiS roiui the important portions of tho. statement. He moved that the naper.should he printed, and added thnt he would explain the proposals further after tho, paper had been circulated. It

Ampla Time Allowed. Mr. Alassey: Tho honourable gentleman is apparently not aware that under existing legislation tho Government ;hn3 power'and'authority to pay this money out without consulting Parliament at all. An honourable member: Ha said so. Air. Massey: "I don't tbink he did Something he said gave me the opposite impression." He added that the Government did not need to consult Parliament at all on this matter, but ttHy were taking Parliament:into their confidence becauso they thought it was right to do so. What ho had taken exception to was the evident desire on tho part of some members to delay the business of tho House. Personally fie would be no party to this. What he had intended to do was to «sk the House to adjourn until 7.30. This would give members quito sufficient timo to consider the mntter. They would have three or four hours in which to read the proposals, to consult with their friends, and then at 7.30 the debate could go on again. He was sorry there had been delay about the preparation of the gratuities scale, but he wished to tell the house and the country thai the delay had been unavoidable. The Minister of Defence had made a very plain statement, and he thought the proposals wero such as would commend tjienisclves to the people of the country. He believed that the proposals were jw*t, even generous, and he did not thick that the money was'more than tho country could affoitl to pay. Air. Smith.: When is it proposed to pay the gratuities?

AFr. Alassey: Right away. Air. Wilford asked tho Prime Minister to see that every member of the House had a full opportunity of considering tho proposals' bofore being asked to vote on them. The House wcjuld not bo put in the position of openin? its mouth and shutting its eyes and taking whatever tho Government gave to it. Members would not 6tand that. Every member of tho House had a responsibility on this matter, and he would discharge that responsibility. Every member had. volumes of correspondence on tho subject. Tho Government had the right to pay these moneys without taking tho House into confidence, but no Government would dare to do it. This was the reason w.hy this question hod been submitted in this form. Now that it had been brought down it was right that the Government should sco that every member of tlie Houso understood it thoroughly. In order to have an opportunity of understanding the proposals fully the House would roriuiro a longer adjournment than until 7.30.

Mr. Jiassov said that he had consulted the Defence Minister about the proposed adjournment, and the Defence Minister agreed with him that this would bo right, 'i'hev both thought now that it would be right. But they did say that it was a wronir thing to ask for an adjournment until next week. Mr. Ngata: You have .'lad ten days fo consider this tiling, and you ask us to decide it in three hours. The Alternative. Mr. Massey said that no time could bo soared. If members would not do the business then thero was only one'alternative for him to take. Sir Joseph Ward; Wo won't be driven. Mr. Massev: These proposals are not meeting with the reception tlio Government has a right to expect Sir Joseph AVard: AVe don't know what they are. Mr. Massey: The honourable gentleman knows all about it. That is, if he has had an opportunity of reading the paper. Opposition members: AVo haven't got it vet. , , , t Sir James Allen: I want to circulate it. Mr. Massey. AVe have not been given uu opportunity of circulating it, ■> Sir Joseph Ward said it was no use for the Prime Minister .to tell the House that if members would i.ot do certain things there was only one allernativc-an appeal to the country. "Let's havo an appeal to the country," hi said. Labour members: Hear, hear, and applause. • ~.,.■ Sir Joseph Ward declared that ho was quite prepared to appeal to the country. Ho objected to being told that he was obstructing when he made a perlecdy lair ami reasonable request. Ho wade another reoucst of the Primo Minister that more time should be given to members to consider the proposals. Mr. Massev. You haven t rend the paper yet. and you don't know what is "'sir' Joseph Ward still pressed for an adjournment until Tuesday, to give members an opportunity ot considering the You can consider the Tinino-nls before 7.30 sure.}' < Sir Joseph Ward: Oh, the honourable Bcnliprnin can.-1 know. ■,„„:„. "iv Hornsbv: I have as much, brain* as some other .honourable gentlemen .1

The Labour Leader. Mr. Holland joined in the demand for a longer adjournment, declaring that the «ople had a right to know someHi,>g about the proposals, aim that he soldiers particularly had « .right to know. Mr Hornsbv: We'll have another march on Parliament. Mr. Holland: "gome people are afraid of a march on Parliament. He said that the Government proposed to give the soldiers 'something less than half the amount they had asked for. Si.r .lames Allen: That statement is not correct. The proposals we are making are larger than those asked for by the Jielurned Soldiers' Association. Mr. Holland said they had been told that the demands of th-J soldiers won id cn<l from twelve to fifteen millions. .Now an offer was made of six millions. The truth was that every tine members atiminted to discuss any proposal the Prime. Minister became jumpy, and said thev were obstructing. Parliament should !„.. ■. |, ( .p-. -ill",! together earlier. The callin" of Parliament had been delayed ton lons, and now' business was being rushed. Members were espeeted to swallow evervthing tho Trime. Minister asked them to swallow. Three hours would not nive members enough time in which to give full consideration to these proposals. , . S\r. Hornsby: Any amoint of tunc. Mr. Holland: Any amcunt of time for those people who never look into the depths of things. Mr. Hornsby laughed. Mr. Holland: That l.righ somith like the laugh of a man who is getting ready to get down on the Government side (if the fence. (Laughter.)

Mr. Hornsby: I will be on tho right side. Mr. Holland: Yes, Hie outside. M.r. Hornsby: 1 will bo on the side of lovidty and i\ew Zealand. Mr.'Holland said Hint the country had had enough of oligarchic rule. Ho demanded an adjournment until Tuesday. The thing should not be rushed through. Mr. Parr: Pay the money, to file men right away. That is what they want. They arc sick of delay. Air. Holland said that<che Labour Party wero prepared to give the returned soldiers all that the country could give them. Mr. Parr: Tho country is dick of delay. Mr. Holland: The Government Party is responsible for the iViay. Sir James Allen: Jfay I ask that I 1)0 allowed to circulate tho paper? Ex-Minister Mr. Russell, . The Hon, G. W. Russell livon) asked what fiho position was. Tile Government, he said, liad been given legislative authority to pay out tnese moneys without reference to Parliament, but when that authority was given the Government was one representative of both sides oi Parliament.

Air. l'«arce: Why didn't they stop in? . Sir. Russell said that tho Government in power had liad this matter under consideration for many months. Major Hine: A fortnight. ■■ Air. Russell said tiiat lie knew better than that. When the authority had been given to the Government to pay tnese moneys id had never been contemplated that tho question would be raised wlien Parliament was in session. Tho authority had been given with tho idea that the money might have to be paid at once, and during tlie recess, wow it had como at a timo when Parliament was assembled, members ought to havo an opportunity not only to express an opinion, but also to <lecide with regard to certain details of the scheme. He asked whether the Government intended to pass the proposals eu bloc. He complained that tlio only motion before tho Houso was as to whether this paper Should be printed. Did the Government intend to bring before tho House any motion which would give members a chanco to discuss the scheme ciuuso by clause and line by lino with a view to members having an opportunity to bring in an iimenument ii they wished to <io so? He wanted to know many things with regard" W tho details ot tno scheme. He knew men who had received a free gift of four or iivc thousand pounds from tho State, and some who hud received uy to a thousand pounds for iike purpose of stocking their laud. Were these men going to get the same as the other men who had got nothing? Mr. Guthrie: These men have oniy had loans. They will have to pay it back. Air. Russell said that in his opinion the Government should have brought tho matter before tlio House in the form of a Bill. Thero were many points on which he desired information. Sir James Allen: I am going to give it to you as soon as you will let me. Mr. Russell: "Well, tho honourable gentleman need not bo in a hurry. Ho has had months in which to consider this thing, und wo are being asked to pass opinion on it in three hours." Mr. Russell continued that he was anxious .to havo an opportunity of'comparing tho gratuities now being offered with thoso paid to the Canadian soldier 3, and soldiers of other Dominions. Sir James Allen: I ani going to give you all that. ' , Air. Russell: "Tho honourable gentleman may bo going to give it, but-1 want to look it up for myself." He declared most emphatically that if any attempt was going to bo made to force this thing through the House he would stand with any body of men in taking such action as would prevent it. "A Political Football." The Hon. J. A. Hanan (Invercargill) said ho hoped tho matter of gratuities was not going to be made a political football in tlio House. AU .tho members were anxious to do the right tlinigbv the returned soldiers. He asked for an opportunity to consider tho proposals and objected to tho Government making anv attempt to force the prop**™ through the House. Did the Government wish to avoid strong representations which might be made from outside the Houso? ~ ,' . . , Mr. J. M'Combs (Lyttelton) informed the Houso that it had a duty to legislate on behalf of tho people who were going to pav tho money and also tho peoplo who were going to receive it. Sir John Fiildlay (Hawke's Bay) suggested that the Prime Minister should proceed as he hnd proposed, and that, if at 7.30 p.m., the Leader of the Opposition felt he required further time tor consideration, Mr. Alnssey should consent to a further adjournment. Air Alassey said ho would accept that proposal. The House could adjourn until 7.30 p.m., and if the members said then they did not understand the proposals ho would be prepared to considorv .what should be done, . Tho paper was then circulated.

A member: They could do bolter with War Certificates. Sir Joined Allen added Hint lie wished ti» express publicly his appreciation of the assistance that had been given in this matter by tho Secretary of the l'os'4 Office, Married and Single Men. Separation allowances for children, 6aid the Minister, were being made fully retrospective, and there was therefore, no need lo distinguish between singlo men and married men in the gratuities. The Government Lad adopted a Hut-rate, without distinction as between officers, non-commissioned officers, and men. (Hear, hear.) He did not agree with that proposal personally. He wished to exprc-.53 to the officers and non-commis-sioned officers of the Expeditionary Forco his regret that there was no special recognition of their services. Ho hud been led to accent the arrangement by the expressed opinions of many members of the House, and particularly of those members of the House who had served with the forces. New Zealand had every reason- to bo proud of the officers and non-commissioned officers of the Expeditionary Force. The gratuity had been made payable from the date -of embarkation to the date of the signing of the Peace Treaty. ■ There were difficulties aJjont making it payable to the date of disembarkation in New Zealand. That arrangement would not work equitably. A "Main Body man who had left on October, 1914, and served to the end of the war would be entitled to the gratuity for four years 255' days. Service in Samoa would count. Any service outside NewZealand would bo reckoned for the purpose of the gratuity. Ho would mention that in the South African war the gratuity for a, private soldier had been £o. An officer had received for each year or part of a year, while a lieutenant-colonel received an additional gratuity of ,£IOO. Ho would not make any comment.

Comparisons. Tho Australian gratuity, added the Defence Minister, had not yet 'been, fixed. The Canadian gratuity was the highest of which ho had an-" knowledge. It was paid in a lump sum for eacb, year or part of a year, a system that ho regarded as unsound, aud a comparison with the New Zealand rate was not easy to make. A Canadian soldier who had served eleven months would receive (shillings and pence oniittedl J243 if hf was single and .£'62 if he was married. A New Zealand soldier for eleven months' service would receive J325 2s. 6d. Bathe New Zealand soldier had received higher pay than the Canadian, the difference amounting to £7 for the period named. The New Zenlnnder received 28 days' loavo on full pay prior to discharge, representing a sum of £1, and he also received railway privileges worth £6, bringing tho total to ,£45 2s. Cd. The comparisons for other periods would bo as follow:—23 months' servico—Canadian, £5$ single, .£B3 married; New Zealander, .£52 10s., raised to .£BO 10s. by the additions given above; 53 months' service-Canadian, <£72 single, £10i married j New Zealand .£79, raised to .£114; 47 months' service-Canadian, ,£B7 single, .£125 married; Now Zealand. ,8107, rising to .£l5O. The Canadian rate did not go any higher. A New Zealand Main Body soldier, for the full period covered by tho gratuity, would receive ,£l2B 14s. gratuity, plus other benefits amounting to about .£SO, as compared with the Canadian Tates. The Canadians had <no financial assistance scheme. The Canadian scale gave an enormous advantage to ofSir James Allen added that he had revised the conditions again and again, and ho believed they would bo readily understood by every member of the House and every returned soldier. He felt sure the Returned Soldiers'; Association .would accept the gratuity in the spirit of the association's lesolution. Ho had hoped to bo able to get the gratuities settled before tho National Government broke up. Tho parties had now separated, but there was no reason why gratuities should be a party matter. Ho hoped members would show the country that the gift was made willingly and graciously. Again the Request for Time.

Proposals Explained. The Minister for Defence proceeded tn explain the proposals ot the Government, lie wild that Ministers wore anxious to give the fullest possible information to members, and had done so in the printed document just circulated. There was no legal necessity for the Government to consu'.t Parliament about tho matter at nil, since Parliament had a ready given authority, during an earlier session, foi Uio payment ot the gratuities. -The Government had power to lis the rate of the gratuity 'by Order-in-Council, anu In.s order had 'teen prepared, and would bo gazetted within the noxt day or two. Ho wanted to remove any impression that might exist that the gratuity was a payment for services rendered, .that was not the position at all. The services thAt had been rendered by tho so deirs could net be measured in money. Ine gratuity was not a pavment, but simply a g"t from the country, and it shoufid bo rogaided in this light. Ho wished to make Si. appeal to the people of the Dominion, men, women, and children, to assist in making this'gift to the soldiers by subscribing to the Victory AVar Loan., A largo part of the money now being raised would be required to pay the gratuities. A suggestion had been made that the returned scCdiers were not satisfied with the gratuity. He had been in close touch with the Returned Soldiers'). Association, and lie could toll the House that the payment, now being proposed was greater than tho pavment suggested by the emaciation. (Applause.) Ho reminded the House that the returned soldiers, at their conference in Christehurch, had slated plainly that the gratuity was not to be claimed as a matter of right, but shotti'l 'be regarded as a free gift from the countrv That was-the spirit in which the returned soldiers had met Parliament, and it was the spirit, in which the '«overnment was undenting tho proposals. The tlinernment had been ns generous as pira'ble. lie hrjoed that. members, in the discu.won of fie reheme, would abandon all party feeling.

Sir Joseph Ward ami ho understood the Prime Minister to have agreed that the House should adjourn until 7.30>ni., and tint if members then required further time, for consideration, the time, would be allowed. , Air. Massey replied that what he had said was that if members were not ready at 7.31) p.m. ho would consider tho next best thing to do. Sir Joseph Ward: I don't know what the next best thing means. ilr.- Massey: That is a matter for consideration, in Sir Joseph Ward: I contend wo should he told. The suggestion 1 thought the Primo Minister accepted was that we should adjourn until 7.30 and then see if we were prepared to go on. Mr. Massey said that there would l>o no trick in tho management of tho House. Ho might make mistakes but ho did not practise trickery. What ho had eaid was that they should adjourn till 7.30, and if members came back at 7.30 and told him thit they could not understand tho paper, and that they wanted more time, he would consider that position. Surely that was clear.

The Question. Sir Joseph Ward said that lie bad suggested no tricks. There had never been but question about their being able T5 unCers'tand the paper. That had not TSieu uio question raised. Most of them would be abio tu understand the paper in two minutes.' Tho adjournment was not 'reciuWeu U> see whct.ior tliey could understand or not. The question they bad & consider was whether they could or could not support tho proposals ol the Government, and for consideration ol this question they required time, lie thought "no luid made tins clear. .Mr. Massey: 1 don't think so., Sir Joseph Ward said that ho thought the House understood this clearly enough. He had from the first asked lor tune m which to consider the proposals, Understanding of the paper was a matte that could bo settled very quickly. In the adjournment ho proposed to ask his Wends to meet him. He thought the right course would be to adjourn until Mr' Massey: I accepted the suggestion of the moiuuer for 'Hawko's Bay, and f bt Sir Joseph Ward: But the adjournment is not for reading and understanding of tho paper., It must be tor consideration oi the proposals. Air. Massey: It is not worth quibbling m Sir Joseph Ward: It is not a-quibble. Sir John Piudlay said that speaking from memory the. proposal he had made was that alter the .Minister ot Defence had spoken, the adjournmentshould bo laken un1..l 7.30, and tnat it hen the Leader oi the Upposilion wanted further time, the Prime Minister would grant it. Mr. Massey: I didn't put it that way. I said that if an application was then made for further time, 1 would consider that.

(In Allowances. The. principle of retrospective paymeuv of childien's allowances had been adopted fnllv. The retrospective payments, to. widowed mothers had not been earned so far There were difficulties m the war. But amusements bad teen, made that anv widowed mother might appea, to the Financial Assistance, Board lor retrospective consideration in respect of anv hardship that might arise. Allowances in the case of members of the Motor-bent Patrol were to be brought fullv up to the New Zealand rates. 1 he forms of apnlicafion, added Sir James; Allen, were being printed, and ho hoped they would all be sent within a weeic. 'I hey would then come back in very arjro numbrrs, and there might be some lit,,c dclnv in completing all the payment? owing to I he rush of work. Jlc won d ask the soldiers to exercise reasonable patience. The method of nnvment had given him some .anxiety. lie did no', flunk it would be the best thing merely to pav out cash. The nrrnngemeni adopted wan for payments to be mads to a Ami's banking account, it he had one. If a man- had no account., the J)enartmont would open an account tor him in the Post Office Sa-ings Bank, and the monev could bo paid into that account. The men would lie able to 'Iraw Hie, monev out at once if thev wished to do «o. He hoped they would realist fi.at the monev was a f.-ift. and that r thev did not 'want, il for sonic \i=efnl pm-We they had heller leave it jo accumulate at interest. He npncalod to he men to handle the meney wisely. .1 he average gratuitv would cover two .years service and'would amount to JJ.it 15s. If the money was left, untouched for icn years it would grow to abom-XiO,

"Blank Cartridge." The Hon. G. V. iUissell suggested that the speech of the Minister ut JJeience covering nis explanation should m pi tad during the night and cnculaled among members. The Minister had made a careful and exhaustive statement, and ultliough there were certain proposals m the seliouie of which he was not enamoured he would give it lull consideration. He asked whether the JJetcnce Minister would move that the House- approve 01 the' proposals. Mr. Massey. JNo. Mr. Kussell: Then are wo to Hinderstand' that all Ihis discussion is merely blank caitridgc? Are we to tarn ourselves into a debating society to express opinions on proposals the Government has brought down, and is to put through: Surely the Government does not intend to put the House into that 110 j| r> Mnsscy: The Government will do 'llussell' asked what the motion would be when the matter came up tor discussion, <uul would the motion uu open lor amendment r 1 Mr Massey said he would move that tho debate bo adjourned, and the discussion would then be taken on the question of whether the paper be punted. Mr Kussell said that this would be more' camouflage, because the paper was already printed. And he wenl. on .'or come time expressing his opinion ot the action of the Government. . Mr. Massey said that anyone ltstenim; to the debate would suppose ■ that the Government intended to interfere with freedom of speech. The Government had no intention of stopping discussion on this propc---.i, and the honourable member

knew this .quite well. "No other motion was over moved in connection witn tho laying of a paper on the table of tho House than tnis motion—that, tho paper lia on tho table and bo printed. It was open to any member to move that any words be struck out or that, other words bo inserted. He objected to the use of tho word camouflage, because it did not apply. It might lead the public to behove that tho Government was trying to mislead tliem, but this was not so. Iho Government had heon perfectly candid and straightforward. If members were not ready to go on with tho discussion at 7.30, he would then be prepared to do tho right tiling. "But," he concluded, "I must say that I am exceedingly (lispointed with the 'reception thsse. proposals havo met with up till now. .1 beliovo that if members will consider them they will see that the Government has done right." , M.r. tvgata asked whether it would he possible for a memner to move that the gratuity bo increased from Is. Gd. to lis. Mr. 'Massey said that the honourablemember must know that this would not be possible under any circumstances, it would not even bo possible if the Government had introduced this question m tho form oi a Bill.

diers' Association censuro Dr. (Boxer for his telegram to tho Prime Minister. Tho chairman said ho thought Mr. M'Kenzio should give notice that lie intended to move the resolution. Iho question of censuring the Dominion president was worthy of a notice of motion. (Hear, hear.) If notice of motion weregiven the matter could be discussed at the next meeting. Voices: This meeting. Mr. M'Kenzie said he thought the chairman should accent the motion. If he refused to do so, then a much more severe motion would be substituted. At this stage matters became somewhat confused, but Mr. M'Kenzie did not press Iho matter. Instead, ho gave notice of his intw.tinn to move'sit a meeting to be held next Friday night: "That the monib -re of tho Wellington As-.-oriiili::)! in:iirti'.'t the executive lo cancel il-i i-aiiiutimi with the national executive." Mr. Siev'wrisjht then guvo notice of the following motion: "That if, be an instruction to the. executive of the 'Wellington Keturned Soldiers' Association to supply a return to the meeting to ha held on Friday, September 26, 3919, showing': (1) The names of those who compose the executive committee of tho N.Z.R.S.A. (2) The war service of 6uch gentlemen, stating rank and unit, date of departure and time absent from New Zealand, and where served. (3) The salaries or other payments, if nny.'of such vv*t>i innd< .of the (1) The Government appointments or offices, if any, held by such gentlemen, and the salaries or payments being received in if?: pec' oi sikii jppoiiiiiitnts nv oihees. (5) Whether the motor-car, which it is alleged is being purchased by Mr. -7-. of the said executive committee, is being paid for wholly or partly out of funds of tho H.S.A." Mr. Gilmour took strong exception to the naming of Mr. . A returned soldier mentioning Mr. —'s name in such I a connection, ho said, "could have up instincts of a gentleman alxiut him." (Hoots and. boo-hooing.) '"ju this interests 01 i.t.r play," remarked Captain H.'T. B. Drew, "I suggest ihat jtr. Sicvwright add to his nioioin: 'And that tho mover and every member of the association who speaks to this motion also add and declare his war service.'" (Hear, hear.) Mr. Sievwright said ho was willing to accept tho addition suggested by Captain Drew. :nr. A. Curtayne: Would a motion that this notico of motion be 'not received bo in order? The chairman: 1 think it is in order. "Attompt to Throv; Dirt." Mr. Curtayne: I am a member of tho executive, and if you like I will give you mv war service now, and any other particulars. But I look upon this motion as an attempt to throw dirt at certain members, and I think I aw speaking to men with a sense of luir. play. It is an attempt to put the. men who form tho executive, which was appointed at. tha last conference, in the position of having to nave their recorus ana private .personal matters put before tho public. That I object to. I never heard ot this motor-oar before, in the iirat place. I move that this notice of motion be not received. iir. a. C. Collins seconded the motion. "If we aro going to drag each other .in the mire," said Mr. Collins, "we are 'soing iu show the public immediately that wu are not acting in unison, and that there is no unanimity amongst us. Wu will show, rather, thai we are merely a rabble who are wretchedly vilifying each other when we shoulu DoWlounj ad wo can to show the public a solid iront. (Applause and dissent.) Mr.' A. Kandall, in supporting the noj tice of motion, said there was a "clique oh tho executive of tho Wellington Association—which also formed part of tho iNew Zealand executive—wluon was opposed to tho remainder of the members of the association in their efforts. The chairman here iutcrposed and said the question of the service of any returnee soldier had nothing whatever to uu with his membership of tho association. (Hear, hear.) Any returned soldier who had served overseas was eligible for membership of the association. Even if, tho information asked for by Mr. Sievwnght were supplied it had absolutely no bearing on the election of tho members of the executive. In so far as he was concerned ho was not.afraid, to give his_\vnr service. 'General ■.allegat.etis were ot no value, aud ho was of the opinion that there was "Eumcthing behind the motion that wanted facts to support it. if the members of the various executive* were going to bo attacked in that manner, men ihero would bo no 'auaunuvy. A voico; Wo will have soldiers couu- ' Continuing, Mr. Harper said the returned men wanted tho support ot each other, and tho support of the public. Ha was afraid that the sort of thing that was going on would not create unanimity. Mr. D. J. B. Seymour,, general secretary of the N.Z.H.S.A., said that personally, ho would welcomo the, fullest publicity being given to the matters, that had been brought forward. Ho thought that publicity should assuciato the naino of Mr. ■Sievwrigut with the notico ot motiou. . < . . "It seems unnecessary for me to stale agnin that I. stand for unanimity," declared Mr. Sievwright. "Mr. Collins says my notice of motion is an endeavour to throw mud" — Mr. Collins: 1 did not use tho word "mud." ' ~ , r Mr. Sievwright: Ho says that I am castings aspersions. Mr. Collins: 1 did not use the word "aspersions." (Laughter.) I did not sav a word about "niiio." or "aspersions. (Cries of-"Sit down!")

Adjournment at Last. Sir Joseph Ward: Might I ask tho Prime Minister if he will answer a plain question, and I will understand the position. Does tho Government want tho opinion of the House on these proposals Air. Massey: Certainly. , Sir Joseph Ward: If that is so, in what way can the House express an opinion on tho proposals when there is notmng before the House bearing on the proposal*? This motion is that the paper be .print-, ed If the opinion ot tho House is asked', in what form are wo. going to. havo an opportunity of expressing an opinion "Vr James Allen: "Honourable members will havo an opportunity of expressing opinion by debate, and if tho terms are not suitable, by amendment. He said that the question could not have been brought before Parliament m any oUicr form! The paper had been brought down with tho hope that every member of the House would find it acceptable. It they coil d onlv agree to it, it would stop a great deal <S unsatisfactory agitation lutoide? He thought that the soldiers themselves would be be Iter eabsfleL to have tho matter settled. If the Hou«.o carried the motion, tho Government wo. Id consider that the House had entoed So Proposals. If the proposals were not satisfactory, then it would bo for the other side to take such action as thev chose by way of amendment. fr. Myers and Sir. Buddo spoke, each for a few moments. Tho debate was adjourned at 4.48 p.m.

An "All-Niflht Wrangle." When the House met after tho tea, adioSr&h Ward (Awarua) said that he had taken tiio opportunity to consult the members associated with tarn, lhoy had decided that it was advisable to ask the Prime Minister to allow the, ma tar to stand over until Tuesday. Ihey had been unable to consider the proposals in the time at their disposal. ■ Tho Primo Minister said he was sorry the Leader of the Opposition and his iriends did not see their way to proceed with the discussion. He did not need to tell the House that the Government had riven UlO proposals a great deal of serious c nsiderahon. 1 He had hoped that me a-, bers would be ready to give their apnroval The proposals were important from a financial point of view.-They involved tho expenditure of over but he was rare members would agieo with him that the soldiers deserved to money. Ho was sorry some members were not prepared to go ahead and make the navnient.l possible. "lam quite sure wwmTmajority of tho House behind us," said Mr. Massey. ' I am certain of that. But I am not going to attempt to force the Houso on this matter, lne adjournment that wa«. heinx <f*™ a & an adjournment until Wednesday at earl est The House could not sit on Saturday or Monday, since some members haa ieftVlingtoii under the:impression that tho House would not do business. The Budget would occupy Tuesday. He kue* what forcing the House that nigh would mean. It would mean an all-night Tangle. Hq would therefore consent to 1e "u ournment. Tho members who had asked for it would take tho responsibility f? Sir repeated that he really wanted time to consider the proposals. Nothing would be. lost by delay. Mr. H. Poland (Ohinemun) said he was ready to proceed Ho had made up h» mind about gratuities, and did not think 10? Gd a week was enough. Mr. Massey added that the debate would he ad 0 rned until "next sittmg day. That 1 leant the matter would be .brought up again on a day that would suit Parliament and the Government. / The debate was formally adjourned on the motion of Sir- Joseph \\ ard. RETURNED MEN WANT MORE-

A LIVELY MEETING R.S.A. NOT A HAPPY FAMILY

War gratuities formed a eu.bject 01 discussion at last night's meeting of lh* ffin Kcturned Soldiers Asnciaton held in the Concert Chamber of ho Town Hall. Tho mcotnw was «"«!**» by about 500 members, and was preside., over by Mr. J. D. Harper. Below lhmoetln* lenmnated there were some Ikah erifcisms of the executive of the >;ew Lland Returned Soldiors' AwocmlmP. and tho proceedings became \eo animated the chairman having to make repealed calls tor order. P The matter of was introduced l>v Mr A. B. Sicvwnght, who I moved "That this meeting ot returned S «f Wellington instruct the execuC to make immediate replantations: to the Government the lender of tho liberal Varly, and the Leader ot tlic j'bour IVtv requesting them to raise 1b monosed Kratmtv lor returned «oldtersKperVr. that the balance o the gratuity asked for. namely, &.. i,L V.«id bv the Government in War Bond? Unable for fivo yenM, " hearing Interest at 5 per cent, ner .«mn,ni. (I TheffW Proved bv the govern, men? S d Mr. Siovwright. was absolutelv inadequate. The association had friend* in the House who were prepared o vote against the Government on tno p "opo als it had Wt down, and members of the association n united front anrt supnovt the members to "he House fa the tttitudo «bey *we Ink ni on the matter. Mr. Sievwrigbt ™ Uacls from letter., ho had rccniy. cd, congratulating him on the. land r had taken with regard to grain,tic. h association should show thal « a force in tho land. and it should stand solid by it« demands. Sneers.)

Out for Information. Continuing, Mr. Sievwright denied that he was casting aspersions or throwing mud at, anybody, but ho did want. to know who the: men on the exccutivo were, and how the money that was being contributed to tho U.S.A. was being spent. (Hear. hear, and cheers.) There was nothim.' behind the motion. All ho was out for was information Certain statenicnfe were being made in the streets ot Welliimton to-uay, and it was only in iustice to the men on the executive that the position should be clearly stated. They wanted men on the executive- who were representative of the rank and hie. "Wo want; to have men who have been with the Diggers in France during the lii<t. two or three years," added Jir.bievwright, amidst shouts of approval. Mr. C. W. Batten said ho had no obieciion to the matter coining forward, but hu honed that the uieeriug wuiiM throw out the "rottonost notice of motion that, had eVer been put to it. There was much dissent during Air. Batten's concluding remarks, and tlia chairman had to make frequent appeals said that if the executive had done nothing more than organise an association for newly-returned men to loin it had justifies itself, and done quite enough. - Mud was being thrown at tha I object to tho statemeat that I threw mud. Mr. Curtavnft "Then vilifying. The evocative had fought for allowances for wi lowed mothers whoso only sons had oe to the war, for the cri OT lcd men, n~i° had worked hard on other waiters, fhft the attiudo the meeting bad taken "" ", (l __ the crippled men." Those ohi™ should come first, and the assoo.afoil should s'.iok to them. U tVZuoi, that the.notice of raotjon bo not received.was then nut to tho meeting, and was declarca lost on a show of hands. ________^_„

"An Insult." Sir ,T M'Koiwie seconded the motion. "Tho Government's proposal of Is. 6:1. per day is nothing short of an insmt to returned men," ho said. B*rc^f'OVeminent made tho pay of he Ne» Zealand soldier up to hat cl the Austra i.m soldier it lwul lo givo ei.cli man ann Is. per day. That only left tho gratuity "tfVepfv'too question, the chairman said the Government had granted several of tho association's claims m regard to retrospective allowances to widwod mothers, the claim for tha Is. a day that tho carlv volunteer did not receive, and the wives' separation al'.owance Mr Harper then read the motion before mUtrnp it to tho meeting. "Make it free of income tax. a member amidst sliouts of laughter. '. On beinE put to the vote (he motion was carried, with several dissentients. Mr Sievwright ' is,(fr ' lhat tho nlotlon be doef'ared carried with only two dissentients. . The chairmnn: T cannot say that Uiore were only two dissentients. ■ Mr Siovwricht then requested that those who voted asrainsr the motion should be n.'ikod to stand up. \ motion was carried to this affect, and twelve members did so, their action terns greeted with expressions of disapproval. . Criticism of Executive. Porno criticisms were (hen levelled n-ainst this executive of tho Now /-calami Ketunicd Soldiers' Association. J!c-feren-'o was made (o the telegram sent to tho Prime Minister by Dr. Boxer, president of tho N.Z.R.S.A., m reference to the question'uf gratuities. , . Mr. J. M'Kenr.ie moved: /Lbav vV.s meeting of (ho Wellington Returned Sol-

Hjr ,T Madden. K.C.M.G- etc., Lieuten. nnt-Gov»rnor and Chief Justice of Vic loria when delivering judpent in a casa in which -i" inferior substitute had been mi<d>ed as "just as Rood" as SANDER'S FTTrU.YPTT EXTRACT, said with reiVrd'to the GENUINE SANDER EXTR\CT: "'Whenever an article is commended to the public, by reason of its ,nod quality, it is not permissible toimitato any of its features. When nsin" n medicine it is "rrnod qualitv" th,t von want, and SANDER'S EX--Itf \CT lies the endowment and np. proval of the highest authorities." In. Hr.led. supplied locally, taken on Mijar or in%ator as directed. SAXTTER'S EXTRACT is equally beneficial because it j* "specially refined and prepared by Zander''-, r.roccss, and contnii>!: nn harmful by-effects. Use SANDER'S EXTRACT only when you desire food and lasting effects: no "just as good."—Advt.