PAY OF SOLDIERS

Evening Star, Issue 23382, 27 September 1939, Page 3

PAY OF SOLDIERS

CRITICISED BY R.S.A. REPORT CONSIDERED Criticism of tho rates of pay announced for New Zealand soldiers was made ut a mooting of the executive or tho Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association last night as a result of a report which compared the now rates with those which prevailed at the end of the last war. The report set out a, number of comparisons, and included several recommendations made by a special committee, which ivas responsible for tho compilation. The intention was, the chairman (Mr J. M. White) explained, to discuss the report in detail with a view to submitting tho recommendations of the association in the matter to headquarters. Mr W. K. Cameron read the report and elaborated on some of its aspects. _ After discussion, which was delayed bv tho contention of members that the matter should be held over pending the announcement by tho Government of its taxation proposals, the recommendations were adopted for presentation to the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association. BASIS OF FINDINGS. " Considering the matters arising out of tho present crisis,” the report stated, ‘‘ and the enrolment of citizen soldiers in New Zealand, either for service within New Zealand or overseas, the committee has endeavoured to base its findings on; (1) The announced rates of pay compared with those ruling towards tho end of the Great War in comparison with those published this month; (2) the announced rate of allowance's to-day with those existing in 1918. In both cases, consideration has been given to ; (a) The general increase in tho cost of living in 1939 compared with 1916, which is estimated at 36 per cent.; _ (b) the general increase in wages in an average group of working under awards, which is estimated at 40 per cent.; and (c) the extent to which the soldier will be called upon to sacrifice himself and his family financially compared with other members of the community.” THE RECOMMENDATIONS. After setting out at length the comparative rates of pay and allowances, the report submitted the following _reoommendlations, which were made without taking into consideration a depreciated exchange, local war taxation, conservation or sterling funds, or comparison with staff rates: — Pay.—That headquarters’ attention bo drawn to reduced scale in the schedule in some classes, and that this association recommends that the matter be taken up forthwith with a view to rectification.

Deduction.—That we agree that the rates of pay for commissioned ranks of 1918 were then reasonable and that the proposed rates for 1939 are totally out of proportion to the 1918 rates. We r recommend in the case of two classes of n.c.o.s that the flat increase should be 2s per diem and not Is and Is fid as announced. (This refers to sergeants, c.m.q.s, and staff sergeants.) It is important that the basis of payment of troops overseas should be made clear, inasmuch as it should be at sterling rates, and any conversion into other currencies should be at the rate fixed by the Imperial authorities for payment of their troops. Nursing Service Pay.—W© recommend that the same flat rate of increase be awarded to the sister and staff nurse, and that provision be made for matron-in-chief for at least 18s per diem. Dependents’ Allowances. noted that the published scale of allowances—wife 3s, child Is fid—shows no increase whatever on 1916 rates, and wo recommend that this be increased to 4a for wife and 2s per child; that pcovision_ also be made for educational facilities for children up to 18 years of age in recommended cases. (It is extremely probable that during the soldier’s service his children may reach the age when allowances cease, and a promising scholar will be forced into channels to_ augment the family income, thereby losing a chance of an academic career,.' Where the protection of young families is in question we would recommend also that the minimum allotment be increased—the reasons for these recommendations He in the facts that high rentals of homes or the equivalent in mortgage interest, plus insurances at present payable are a very definite burden.) Insurance.—The committee recommends that headquarters ho requested to consider the advisability of a scheme of insurance (contributed to by the sol-dier-civilian and the State) for the rehabilitation of all units of the New Zealand Forces proceeding overseas, either on their return or for the benefit of their beneficiaries. This scheme would he absolutely apart from any form of gratuity which may he given on discharge as has been The case in the past. INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION. After the report had been read', Mr L. G. Hill expressed the opinion that the executive was not in a position to discuss the matter until the Government’s finance and taxation intentions were made known. The effect of the current rate of exchange on the proposed rates of pay was questioned by Mr N. B. Wilson, who also contended that further knowledge was needed to discuss the report properly. The Chairman said they could not hold the matter up too long. Mr W. T. Thomson moved that the discussion of the report should bo held over until the Government made its taxation proposals known, when a meeting should be called immediately to continue the discussion. The motion was lost on a show of hands and # the discussion was continued. The report was taken section by section, and was finally adopted on _tho motion of Mr Cameron with only minor alterations.