General Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 23, 24 September - 26 December 1919, Part 10

Estimated approximate increased cost of paying
Subsistence Allowance of 4/- per diem in lieu of Ration
Allowance of 1/9 per diem.
Present Strength on leave 2,500.
Assuming that there will be an average daily
reduction in this number totalling 1,000 each month for the
next two months, and that the remaining 500 will be repatriated
during the third month, the estimated cost will be as
follows :-

A difference of 1/- per diem in the rate - that
is, to fix it at 3/- or 5/- instead of 4/- per diem - will
make a difference in cost spread over the whole period of
£4,875.
(Sgd.) R.S.
 

4th November, 1919.
The Commandant,
A.I.F. Headquarters.
Married A.I.F. Personnel on Indefinite Leave in the
United Kingdom awaiting embarkation.
In connection with the above it is the practice to
pay such personnel a Ration Allowance of 1/9 per diem from
the date they proceed on leave until date of embarkation.
From general observations, and from my experience
in dealing with applications for advances of Deferred Pay,
am firmly of the opinion that the provision of 1/9 per diem
is not nearly adeqiuate for the requirements of married men
who are living with their dependents. A Private and his
wife are receiving altogether 8/9 per diem including pay 5/-
Separation Allowance 2/-, Ration Allowance 1/9. The result
is that large numbers of the men have spent all their available

resources including portion of their accumulated
Deferred Pay, and as far as financial matters are concerned
they are rapidly getting into a hopeless condition.
As it is not the policy of the Department of Repatriation, 

and would not be in the interests of the Commonwealth
to retain these married men in Depots awaiting embarkation.
but rather to give them every encouragement to live with their
dependents, I am of the opinion that a subsistence Allowance
in lieu of quarters and Rations should be provided instead of
a Ration Allowance only.
The question as to the amount which might reasonably
be paid is a debateable matter, as the cost of living varies
considerably according to locality. The cost is generally
regarded as exceptionally high in London, and I do noth think
the married personnel on indefinite leave should receive so
high a rate of subsistence as personnel employed in London who
are performing service, and are compelled to live in or near
London. Again, personnel on duty at these headquarters are
necessarily called upon to spend money in fares travelling to
and from duty, and in most cases cannot make advantageous
boarding arrangements as many of them have to buy the midday
meal at a Restaurant or other Public Place.
A flat rate of 4/. per diem to married personnel on
indefinite leave appears reasonable. The total pay and allowance
to a Private and his wife (exclusive of children) computed
on this basis would be 11/- per diem, composed of :-
5/- Active Pay:
2/- Separation Allowance,
4/- Proposed Subsistence Allowance.
It is suggested that the proposed new rate of 4/-
per diem should be applicable to all married personnel while
on indefinite leave awaiting embarkation, and that the present
rate of 1/9 per diem should apply in all other cases.
I attach hereto a draft cable which might be sent to
Defence Department in the matter.
(Sgd) R. Sebaston Major
chief Paymaster 

Estimated approximate increased cost of paying
Subsistence Allowance of 4/- per diem in lieu of Ration
Allowance of 1/9 per diem.
Present Strength on leave 2,500.
Assuming that there will be an average daily
reduction in this number totalling 1,000 each month for the
next two months, and that the remaining 500 will be repatriated
during the third month, the estimated cost will be as
follows :-

A difference of 1/- per diem in the rate - that
is, to fix it at 3/- or 5/- instead of 4/- per diem - will
make a difference in cost spread over the whole period of
£4,875.
(Sgd.) R.S.

 

DRAFT.
Since March married members A.I.F. living out of camp have
been allowed 1/9d per day in lieu of rations Stop They
have been able to exist on this for few months by drawing
on private savings and in special cases advances of deferred
pay but the time awaiting family ships has now extended in
some cases to many months and they are rapidly almost universally 

becoming financially involved Stop By the men
living out we are saving necessity many camps, and the consequent 

expenses of large staffs, fuel, lighting and barrack
damages, and it is strongly urged that, with the approach of
winter, amount be increased to 4/- per day in lieu of rations
and quarters Stop Many are on reduced drawing rate of
1/6d per day which, with other allowance, amounts to 7/- per
diem for husband, wife, and child Stop 2,500 at present
concerned decreasing monthly stop Estimated additional
cost till end January £10,000 when all should be embarked
Stop The alternative would be married camps but the expense
of fitting and upkeep would very much exceed the foregoing
proposal and could not be arranged in reasonable time Stop
Reply very urgent Stop MONASH.
 

[*Gen Monash

13.11.19*]

REPATPIATION & DEMOBILISITION A. I. F.    RETURN A.44.
EMBARKATIONS FROM U. K. FOR WEEK ENDING 7. 11. 1919. 
 

11.11.1919.
 (signature)
Lieut.
D.A. Statistics. 

REPATRIATION & DEMOBILISATION A. I. F.

A. I. F. IN EUROPE.
 

[[?]]

Lieut.
D.A. Statistics.
 

REPATRIATION & DEMOBILISATION   RETURN E.44

WIVES AND DEPENDANTS OF OFFICERS AND OTHER
RANKS OF THE A. I. F.
1. Marriages
FROM 30.11.18. to 31.10.19.      6517
for week-ending 7.11.19.            46

Total at 7.11.19.                          6563
 2. DEPENDANTS IN UNITED KINGDOM AWAITING REPATRIATION BY FAMILY

SHIPS. (Application held by Branch 2.D.)

3. A.I.F. PERSONNEL AWAITING RETURN BY FAMILY SHIPS
(Applications held by Branch 2.D.)

U. Unaccompanied.
A. Accompanied.
[[?]]
Lieut.
D.A. STATISTICS.
 11.11.1919.

REPATRIATION & DEMOBILISITION A.I.F.        RETURN M.32.
APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE ELSETHERE THAN IN AUSTRALIA (EXCLUDING EGYPTIAN THEATRE.
FORM 535.
 

Note % Includes 440 reconsidered cases now approved.
x. This figure includes a small number of cases which applicants
cancelled after approval.
[[?]]

Lieut.
D.A. STATISTICS.  

REPATRIATION AND DEMOBILISATION            RETURN J.39.
PERSONNEL ACTUALLY ENGAGED IN EDUCATIONAL COURSES AND
INDUSTRIAL OCCUPATIONS AS AT 7.11.1919. 

Appendix   "A"   (Educational)   )   Attached.
      do          "B"   (Industrial)        )
[[?]]
Lieut.
D.A. Statistics
11.11.1919. 

EDUCATIONAL.       APENDIX "A".