WAR PENSIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 July 1940, Page 7

WAR PENSIONS

AMENDING BILLS BEFORE HOUSE OVERSEAS AND HOME SERVICE. PROVISIONS RELATING TO DEPENDANTS. ißy Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON. This Day. The benefits of the War Pensions Act are extended to members of the armed forces serving in the present war, both abroad and at home, by the War Pensions Extension Bill, which was introduced and read a first time. Certain limitations have been imposed on the payment of pensions in respect of men suffering death or disability while in New Zealand, or after return to New Zealand, but in the case of men who go overseas the Government accepts any disability incurred abroad as a war risk. The rates of pensions are the same as those fixed in the War Pensions Act, which was first passed in 1915, and has since been amended. A child adopted before a man goes overseas will be eligible for benefit, as will a child adopted before a man on home service suffers death or disability, but children adopted afterward will not be recognised for pension purposes. The same provision applies to step-children. While death or disablement incurred abroad by a member of the forces will be recognised for pension purposes, whether it is attributable to war service oi- not. it will be necessary, in the case of death or disability in the Dominion or after return to New Zealand for the War Pensions Board to be satisfied, before granting a pension, that this is due to or has been aggravated by war service. Pensions are also to be payable to army nurses. Authority is given for supplemental'} pensions to be paid to persons already in receipt of pensions from the United Kingdom Government. There is to be no duplication of pen sions in respect of persons already receiving pensions because of service in the last war. In computing pensions to be paid on account of service in New Zealand or for death or disablement after men return to New Zealand, the War Pensions Beard may take into account anj other pension, 'retiring allowance, compensation, or compassionate allowance received out of any public moneys or Government superannuation fund. MARRIAGE BAR REMOVED. The main provision of the War Pensions Amendment Bill, which was alsc introduced and read a first time, is the removal of the marriage bar which has operated against returned soldiers of the last war in respect of the eligibility of their wives and children for pensions. The effect of this is that the date of a soldier's marriage will not prejudice any claim for pension in respect of his wife or children, except in the case of “death-bed” marriages. A new definition of the term “dependant" is given. So far as adopted children are concerned. May 31. 1940 is fixed as the last date on which a child may be adopted by any member of the forces if it is to be eligible for pension, and in the case of illegitimate children any born within 10 months after the soldier’s departure from the Dominion will be eligible for pension.