WIDOWED MOTHERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1917, Page 4

WIDOWED MOTHERS.

AND SOLDIERS" ALtiOWANCES. By Telegraph.— Ties* Association. Wellington, Last Night. Tlic Advisory Hoard of Patriotic Societies advised recently that the receipt of the full old-age pension of 10s per week should not debar a widowed mother of a soldier from receiving the military separation allowance of 7s per week. The regulations provide that if the ineome of a mother, apart from the soldier's allotment, -exceeds 7s per week.tha separation allowance cannot he paid. The Minister of Defence replied tha.li the concession proposed would involvn placing mothers in a letter financial position than before their sons' enli»> rnent, and stated that a mother's income, prior to enlistment, was as follows: Old age pension of £-20, possibly free board provided by soldiers can bo added, but the Mime would not cxceeS in value £2O a year, making a total of £52. The experience of the Wellington War Relief Association and other patriots societies does not support this official contention that free board, presumably with lodging added, is iworth only £2B a year, the cost of board and lodging of the cheapest kind under present conditions being from 15s to £1 per week, and allowances have had to be based 04' the recognition of that fact*