WAR PENSIONS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 348, 4 December 1915, Page 4

WAR PENSIONS.

DISCUSSED BY BOROUGH COUNCIL. At the meeting of the Taihaoo Borough Council last evening a letter was received from the Petone Borough Council enclosing a copy of a motion carried by that Council and csking the Taihape Council to a similar motion. The Petone resolution reads as follows: That as an aid to recruiting, the Government be requested S amend "The War,,. Pensions Act, 1915," setting forth therein clearly and definitely the amounts payable to soldiers’ dependents in the event o. death on active service, such amounts not to be subject to reduction or variation by the Pensions Board set up under that Act, and in view of the dissatisfaction which prevails, urges Hat Parliament I at once summoned to amend the Act, and that a copy of this resob>tion be forwarded to the Right Hon. the Prime Minister, the Hon. Minister for Pensions, the Member for the* District, and all Borough Councils, County Councils, and Town Boards throughout the Dominion, asking their co-operation herein. ’’

Tho Mayor said this was a matter which most people had formed their own opinions on. He, personally, considered that a. soldier's dependents were entitled to the pensions without any deduction whatever. He would nk.’-re the following resolution:— T.'tat as an aid to recruiting', cho Government be requested to amend “The War Pensions Act. IP.lo," sitting forth therein clearly and definitely the amounts payable to soldiers’ dependents in the event of death on active service, such amounts not to be subject to reduction or variation by the Pen- \ sions Board set up under that Act, and in view of the dissatisfaction which generally prevails regarding this matte-, urges that PaHiairumt be. at once summoned to amend, the Act, and that a copy of the resolution bo forwarded to the Prime Minister and the Member for the District. ’ ’ Or. Bennett: Does your resolution recommend the calling of Parliament together? The Mayor: Yes. If not, the injustice will last for another 12 months. Or. Joblin: I strongly support the first part of the resolution, but think Parliament could remedy it next year and make the Act retrospective. Or. Bennett said he was in favour of the first part, but Parliament need not be called together. The Mayor said he would be prepared to omit the part suggesting the calling of Parliament together immediately provided the words “that the Government make the amendment retrospective’’ were added. Cr. Joblin then seconded the motion, which was carried.