§ Question again proposed.
§ 8.0 P.M.
§ Colonel YATE(resuming): I was saying that officers were entitled to pensions and was asking a question as to what their position is. I was arguing that pension is deferred pay, and that it is the right of officers to get that deferred pay when they have completed the term of service, and that there is just as much right on the part of the officers as of the men. I hope some opportunity will be afforded to officers, so that when they become entitled to deferred pay they will be able to draw it. The Financial Secretary objects, and says they may go on and qualify for higher pay. If a man can go on, by all means let him go on; but there are many men who have been promoted from the ranks, quarter-masters, and others, who are suffering great hardships. They can get no further pension, and I say they ought to be allowed to draw their deferred pay, when they become entitled to it. I hope the Financial Secretary will consider that during the Recess. Another question I want to raise is that of certain majors-general who have been deprived of their commands in this country to make room for returned generals. I quite agree that when generals come back from the front they should be allowed to rest in England for six months, or whatever period is necessary; but it is hard on general officers who have been doing good work in England to have to vacate their appointments to make room for these returned generals from the front. The third point I would ask the Financial Secretary to consider is the question of the promotion of Reserve officers. Numbers of officers were called up for this War who were on Reserve—captains of fifteen years' service and majors of twenty years' service. They have done good service in the War, but have not been given promotion. They have seen many young officers put over them, and it is very hard on them. I hope the Financial Secretary will take this into consideration also. He gave me a list of a certain number of officers who had been promoted, but it was a very small one, and I trust that these officers, who are doing good service in this War, will receive the promotion which is their due.