WAR PENSIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21176, 27 July 1940, Page 9

WAR PENSIONS

SOLDIERS OF TODAY RATES AS FOR LAST WAR NO MARRIAGE TIME LIMIT (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) WELLINGTON. Friday The War Pensions Extension Bill which was introduced and read a firs time in the House of Representative; today, extends the benefits of th< War Pensions Act to members of th< armed forces serving in the presen war, both abroad and at home Certain limitations have been im posed on the payment of pensions ir respect of men suffering death or disability while in New Zealand, o: after return to New Zealand, but ir the case of men who go overseas th< Government accepts any disability incurred abroad as a war risk. The rates of pensions are the sam< as those fixed in the War Pension' Act, which was first passed in 191; and has since been amended. Adopted Children A child adopted before a man goe; overseas will be eligible for benefit as will a child adopted before a mar on home service suffers death or disability, but children adopted afterwarc will not be recognised for pensior purposes. The same provision applies to step-children. While death or disablement incurred abroad by a member of the force' will be recognised for pension purposes, whether it is attributable tc war service or not, it will be necessary in the case of death or disability in the Dominion, or after return tc 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. Duplication Prevented Pensions are also to be payable tc army nurses. Authority is given for supplementary pensions to be paid to persons already in receipt of pensions from the United Kingdom Government. There is to be no duplication of pensions 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 Board may take into account any 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 also introduced and read a first time, is the removal of the marriage bar which has operated against returned soldiers of the last war, married in later years, 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. The only exception made is 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. Under the War Pensions Act and amendments the principal maximum weekly rates of pension payable in respect of disablement or death of a soldier or a nurse are:—Disablement: Private, £2, with £1 for wife or other dependant; officers, on rising scale to £3 5s and £1 12s 6d; nurse, £2 2s 6d and £1 Is 3d. Death: Private’s widow, £1 10s; officer’s widow, up to £3 10s; nurse’s dependant, other than child, £2 ss. A soldier’s widow with a child is entitled to an extra 10s.