PENSIONS FOR SOLDIERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3978, 10 July 1915, Page 4

PENSIONS FOR SOLDIERS.

THE GOVERNM ENTS PIiO-PO~AI-X. DEBATE IN THE HO CAE. (PEES 3 XSSOCI-CVIOX TZIXGEA2I.J ■WELLINGTON, Jtily 9. There was a debate in the House today on the Government's pensions scheme for soldiers. Mr. Allen, in moving the second reading of the War Pensions Bill, explained that the measure came into operation only when soldiers left- the shores 01 ilie Dominion. _ liie Dili wnt further than the Australian hvrc in this respect. A comparison of the schedules with other pensions Acts was also in our favor. Sir Joseph Ward said they looked upon the Bill as a national one. He congratulated the Minister upon the general outlines of the measure. He pointed out the difference between superannuation _ and the pension sch<!mo. and said that nut-tiiuuj a pension could not he made as large as a superannuation grant. He tnougin there should be a uniformity. of t-.K pension uaid to those who pa.rticipatec hi the- South African wax and those who were talcing part in the present war. He hoped, in dealing with eases of partial ‘disablement, the Bcnrc would act generously. . . . Mr Poland adversely criticis'd t. schedule. Ik 1; mtemh'd that- paynn. an to privates cm i:*i to tar enough, an. said w• ■ shorn.. he pre-par:c. to d>. 1 ample justice to those wno were pre pared to light for 111** Empire. Messrs. Malcolm, Buddo, and Elet clmr argued in favor of more gene-vou treatment. particularly in the case o disabled ‘oiuicrs. The. House rose at 5.30 p.m. When the House resumed at 7.T0 p.m.. Mr !< letcher suggested that the pension for men on the bottom rung of the ladder should lie increase*!. The whole country wanted Parliament to adequately provide for those who volunteered i'or service in the ffr.ng line. t,lr Wright said ho was willing to pav any taxation necessary to provide a generous pension. 51 r Ist it said he recognised the impossibility of the Government bringing down an altogether lavish scheme, and was convinced that when the righttime came the Government would he just as ready as everyone else to make more generous provision for those who had gone out to light at the front. At the same time, he must raise his voice with those members who had already contended that 25s per week was altogether inadequate for a man who was totally disabled. Mr Harris thought that 25s per week for a man who returned totally disabled was inadequate. He thought the amount should lie os pei day. lie asked the Minister to endeavor to make a. reciprocal arrangement with Australia in regard to the pension. Mr Walker held that the scale of pensions was inadequate and, if passed into law, would he followed by a falling off in recruiting. Mr Bussell considered that the Minister had faithfully endeavored to improve the pension law of the Dominion. Looking at finance after the twelve million loan had been expended. he held that, with collateral charges as the result of the war, there would be an additional annual burden of two millions thrown upon the Dominion. Therefore, caution was necessary. The amount of the pensions could later on lie increased if desirable. He thought that, by the _ establishment of homes, and by providing suitable light work, these disabled men would have something moro than a hare pittance. He strongly objected to the large discretion left to the Board. Messrs Jennings, Buick, 1 oole. Witty, McCombs. Veitch. Dr Thacker, Messrs Webb, Anstev, Talbot, MacDonald. Hunan, McCall mn, Dr M-e-Nab, and Messrs Payne and Okey continued the debate. , , , The Minister, in reply, quoted figures to snow that for two. years under the proposals there would be required £898,000. He defended the rates of pension paid to officers as against, privates. Clause 10 would be amended, providing for proof of disablement being submitted after seven years. The second reading was carried, and tho House rose at 12.40 p.m.