SOLDIERS' GRATUITIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1919, Page 4

SOLDIERS' GRATUITIES.

The iong expected scheme of gratuities for soldiers, which was submitted to the House yesterday by the Minister of Finance, fully justifies Mr. Massey's statement that it would be found to be quite satisfactory. The Cabinet's solution of this problem is certainly deserving of credit, for it was a difficult and delicate task. Ministers had not only tn give a square deal to the soldiers, but also to study the interests of the taxpayers. The grant of one shilling and sixpence c, day to both officers and men from the date of embarkation to the signing of peace on June 26 last should be regarded as a generous recognition of the services rendered by the recipients to the Dominion and the Empire. The amount fixed on should meet the views of all sections of the community, and it certainly leaves no just ground of complaint on the part.of the men. The principle of rewarding the men according to their length of service was the only one that could meet the case, and should evoke a feeling 'of cpmplete satisfaction from every returned soldier. Another cause for gratification is the provision that has been made for a minimum gratuity equal to two years' service in the case of members of the force who died on active service, and equally beneficient is the minimum for eighteen months' service in the case of those who have been sent back on account of sickness or wounds. These grants are estimated to cost a little over five and a half millions sterling—an amount that must be considered as generous—and it may be assumed that this large sum will be willingly endorsed by the public, and thus m.'ke the gift all the more appreciated by the returned soldiers. The other features accord with the spirit of the whole scheme.