War Gratuities
The statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer about war gratuities and other benefits payable to serving men on demobilisation is likely to meet with general approval. Provision is made for war gratuities _dependent on length of service, as well as for patwar credits, 56 days' paid leave, foreign service leave, and civilian outfit, and also in approved cases for training and reinstatement in civil employnient. The scale of payment in general is considerably higher than in the last war, especially in respect of married men. This is as it should be, not only because the cost of living will be substantially higher than it was in 1919, but also because a higher standard of living is expected. The total capital expenditure, with the addition of gratuities, will come to about L700,000,000 ; but this will be distributed over the whole period of demobilisation, which for some men will not come till after the conclusion of the war with Japan. -Large as the sum payable will be, it will in any case be less than would have to be paid on men, their maintenance and military equipment in the event of a prolongation of the war. Their total consumption as civilians will not be greater than their consumption as serving-men, and less if the latter includes the ammunition and other material they would use in war. The estimate of costs given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer would, of course, have to be increased if the war lasted longer than seems likely.
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