WAR PENSIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1916, Page 8

WAR PENSIONS.

THE DEWAR CASE. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, May 15. The delay of the War Pensions Board in. granting a pension to the mother of Sergeant-Major A. IT. Dcwar was mentioned in the Koikc of Representatives to-day by Dr. Thaekor (Christelmreh East). The'member asked if the Minister for Defence had seen an article on the subject'in the Tjtfvvski News. The Minister for Defence (Hon. J. Allen) said he had heard of the ease, which, had been reverting the consideration of the 'Pensions Board. The difficulty was that Mrs. Uewar had stated before the war when applying for an old-age pension that th.-; fon did not eontribute to her support. Xow she stated he had contributed.

Mr. Okey (Taranaki) said both statements might be true. The son might have boarded with his mother and assisted her in that way without actually contributing towards her support. Mr. Wilford (Butt) said the case illustrated the need for an amendment of the law regarding old-age pensions. Applicants should he asked what money they had, not what money they had received during the preceding year. Then old people wo'nld not be forced to go a little beyond the mark in order to secure tlie pension. „

The Hon. A. M Myers (Minister in charge of the tensions Department) wiiil he would be glad to consider the suggestion.