SOLDIERS’ GRATUITIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10603, 31 May 1920, Page 2

SOLDIERS’ GRATUITIES

A NUMBER OF ANOMALIES. The fourth annual report of the N"w Zealand Returned Soldiers'’ Association makes reference to certain anomalies in regard to soldiers’ gratuities. Naturally, states tho report, very little discontent has been caused in the payment of tho gratuities due, but several eases of anomalies have been found out. A special committee, consisting of Colonel Essen, Colonel Hutchens, and Mr R. J. F Aldrich, was set up by order of the Defence- Department, to inquire into anomalous cases. Unfortunately this committee has not met ns a committee yet. hut many individual eases have been dealt with. A member of Ihe standing sub-committee is responsible for the selection of these anomalous cases for theiV auhmiflsion to the special eoramittee. So far tho most far-reaching anomaly is that of ncxt:-nf-lah, who cannot prove pre-war dependency. Here is a concrete case • A young Indy teacher received her soldier brother's- allotment, which wns kept for him on bin return, ns she wns able to work for herself when he went away. After a time her health broke down, and she began to use Ivor brother’s money The brother was then killed, hut the sister cannot claim the irrahi’ty as she cannot prove pre-war dependency. Up to April 30t.1i. 1029. flm number of era. tuition paid were RR.7GB, of a total value" of .£5.097,009 13s Id.