THE INADEQUACY OF OFFICERS' WIDOWS' PENSIONS. [To THE EDITOR OP
THE " SPECUTOR."3 SIB,—It is unfortunate that the writer of the letter with the above title (whom I imagine to be of the feminine sex) did not take the trouble to verify her references, for they are singularly inaccurate. She writes; " A General's widow's pension is .2120 a year." The true facts are as follows : The widow of a General killed on active service is given a pension of A0600 a year, with an
additional gratuity of 83,000. A Brigadier-General's widow is entitled. to 8300 a year, with a gratuity of 8900, and the widows of Generals of the intervening grades have pensions increased by 8100 a year for each succeeding grade, with corresponding gratui- ties. Allowances for children are in all cases additional. It should be borne in mind that amongst a very considerable number of officers their rank is only temporary, and on the oonclusion of peace they would revert to their former grade; but for the widow the higher scale of pay is allowed. Officers are now taken from many different classes of society, and -what is a pittance for the wife of one is a fortune for another. It is difficult to see how inequalities of private means could be adjusted, and, on the whole, I do not think that it is fair to suggest that the scale of pensions is ungenerous. Possibly during this time of difficult living some scheme may yet be devised for lightening the tragedy of the harder oases, but these are not likely to be assisted by such mis- leading statements being sent to the Press.—I am, Sir, &o., Msron-Gssamses Wu*.
Previous page
