Pensions and Allowances.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 28 September 1917, Page 3

Pensions and Allowances.

Wellington, September 23. Th« Government has decided to convene a round-the-table conference of members of Parliament to discuss the pensions and separation allowances to be granted to the members and dependents of the Second Division. These and other cognate matters will be debated in a free and informal manner in order that the Government may ascertain the mind of the House before coming to a final decision. The conference will, no doubt, reach an agreement with regard to rates of pensions and allowances, and presumably the Government will give effect to the views of the majority. The Minister of Defence has already stated that the pensions will be fixed by legislation, but he, personally, prefer? that the separation allowances should be dealt with by regulation; whereas the Second Division League is desirous that both pensions and allowances should be dealt with by legislation. It is understood that the press and strangers will be excluded from the conference, and the Speaker will act as chairman. The conference will be held during the present week. 1 September 25.

The special secret sitting was held on Tuesday night. Information was conveyed with very much regret that there would be difficulties and dangers in carrying out the schema for granting of furlough to members of the N.Z. Expeditionary Force, and these difficulties were of such moment that it had hecome necessary to cancel the arrangement.

The Government's proposals for increases in pensions and allowances were placed before members, and th« Bill dealing-with pensions will be introduced without any delay. In twelve months the new rates will involve an increased liability of:— Pensions, £240,000; allowances, £775,326: total, £1,015,326.