SOLDIERS' PAY AND ALLOWANCES.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 157, 6 July 1916, Page 4

SOLDIERS ' PAY AND ALLOWANCES.

THE COST TO THE COUNTRY^

NEED FOR CAUTION

WELLINGTON, .July A statement ••egardmg soldiers’ p:«and separation allowances was made iff Uic House to-day by the Pi mho 7.l.Ulster. Mr Massey said the Government was just as anxious as any member to do all its possibly could for soidicrs,. and to provide ori : them and their dcuencents. It was quite impossible to give full compensation in money fertile sacrifices of the widows and orphans of the men who had been killed’,, or those of soldiers who were incapaci-tate-1. The Government had a very serious responsibility in connection with ■ e t'Af'i- t.onery Fore.’, and it must go carefully. Our present expenditure was over a million per month. Members were in the habit of saying that soldiers were paid five shillings per day. It was true that a single private’s pay was five shillings per day for seven days a week, while the wives of married men received an extra seven shillings per week as a separation allowance, with a further 3s 6d per week for each child. Besides Hie pay, how- ver, the Government was res- ■» ponsible to the Imperial Government for the food and clothing of the men. The Government had not \et been able to obtain a definite settlement with the Imperial Government in regard to the cost of food and clothing. He understood, however, that it was approximately four shillings per day. Dr. Thacker; It would not (ost the men so much at home. Mr. Massey said they wore not likely (n have a settlement with the liuper*! authorities un'-ii the end of the There were also other expenses, including the cost of transports,, medical attention and camp equipment. Altogether it was reasonable to assumethat every soldier at the front was casting the Dominion not less than, ten shilk'ngs per day. Mr "Witty; Soldiers do not get that. Mr Massey: I have made that clear. 1 am speaking of the cost to the country. Ido not begrudge it, and I would not begrudge it i? every man cost the country a pound a day. Mr Poland : That does not help thechildren. Air Mas’ey : No ; but I am showing the necessity for caution in connection with our financial arrangements. I assure the House that so far as the Government is concerned there will be no cheese-paring in connection with our soldiers. Air Poland : There is evidence of it. Air Alassey said the Defence Alinister had assured the Hones that hecould bring the matter before the Cabinet, and it would come*before the Cabinet. Air Witty: Will the Government act in the matter? Air Alassey repeated that with ouf rapidly increasing expenditure it wasnecessary to be extremel'v careful.