Defence Expenditure.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 May 1918, Page 4

Defence Expenditure.

SOLDIEES’ FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. WELLNGTON, May 6 Major Griffin (Director of Financial Services) gave further evidence today before the Defence Expenditure Commission on the subject of differential allowances. The allowances were, he said, made by Cabinet on the recommendation of Colonel Gibbon. Mr T. S. Eoualdson (chairman of the Soldiers' 'Financial Assistance Board) stated that when the Board was satisfied there was hardship it could give relief up to £3 additional to any wage received, but it had to be subject to an allotment, of 3/6 per day for a woman without a child whose husband went to the front. That meant £llß 12s 6d a year. £9O a year was the minimum for a woman to feed and clothe herself. The Board took into consideration the pre-war earnings of the soldier and the consequent state of living of his wife. It did not take into consideration the personal earnings of a wife in poor circumstances. If a man was killed the Board kept up help until the woman received a pension. Up to the end of April the Minister had approved of grants in 5191 cases, at an annual expenditure of £164,240. After reviewing cases consequent on increased separation allowance made in January, reductions were made totalling £58,810 per ‘annum. There was no overlapping between the Board and patriotic societies.