The ministry of pensions was formed in 1916 to take over the payment of pensions to soldiers, maybe it refers to the possibility of change when the new ministry got round to it.
Although officers wives and children were well provided for, not so widows of ordinary soldiers, who had to almost prove that they were honest upright citizens deserving of a pension.
Some war widows were seemingly reported by their neighbours on suspicion of cohabiting.
It was a big social issue at the time, and reviewing the huge number of claims and clearing the backlog took a long long time
Novel seems to refer to upcoming legislation not yet implemented, tho it has different meanings in some countries.
Mind, better brains than mine have tried to answer this question

Mike