PAYING OUT PENSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1928, Page 12

PAYING OUT PENSIONS.

DAY FOR THE OLD FOLKS.

HEW CITY DEPOT OPENED. LATE MR. SEDDON REMEMBERED. "God bless Richard Seddon!" The exclamation came from one of the mellowing company of pensioners who formed into a qnene this morning in readiness to receive the allowance which comes like a windfall each month as a bounty from the Old Age Pensions Act. "They often speak of 'Dick Seddon,'" said one of the officials to a pressman, who was inquiring about the change which was being mad* to-day in the location of the central paying-out depot. "Many of the old people," he added, "think of Mr. Seddon as their fairy godfather." On the 23rd of each month, rain or shine, the old people come for their pension. The one exception is when the date falls on a Sunday, and the paying out is done on the day following, Saturday, such as falls this month, is not regarded as the best of days, because the work is crowded into three houra, commencing at nine and ending at noon. On other days the making of i the payments is spread over the full 1 working day.

Semored to Hew Quarters. Hitherto the central depot has been at the Oddfellows' Hall in Cook Street, but as a change has become necessary the work has been transferred to the Methodist Mission Hall at the foot o. Alexandra Street, almost opposite the Town Hall. For the guidance of any pensioners who might hare overlooked the notification of change, an official was stationed at the Cook Street building to-day in order to point the way to the new depot. To see a company of pensioners on their monthly pilgrimage is to appreciate the humaneness of the legislation which makes possible this degree of aid for those who, hairing borne the burdens of earlier days, are now having their loads made lighter in the later years of life. Some, of course, will have toiled more strenuously than others, but the lot of all will be brighter for the benevolence of the State. Many types and temperaments there are in the gathering of veterans. They have passed through varying life experiences. All, however, are united by the common bond of advancing years, and all have equal cause to appreciate the manner in which New Zealand cares for its aged citizens. Hundreds of Applicants. The paying out of the monthly pensions is no simple process. Several hundred people (some of them agents) come to the central depot alone. In addition, payments are made at any post offices, where recipients may care to go for their payments. Tho one requirement is that they must go there each time. An exception is made of the Chief Post Office, which is relieved of this work by the central depot established for that purpose.

Everybody seemed satisfied to-day with the new depot. Two male clerks and a lady deck operated at tables which contained the requisite materials, as well as a large amount of money in convenient denominations. The maximum pension is 17/6 per week, but the amount varies according to the circumstances of the applicant. In the case of men payments may commence at the age of 65, but with wqmen pensions may be secured at the age of 60. Until the. age of 65, however, a maximum pension for a woman is £5 less per year than she may become entitled to at the age of 65. It is interesting to note that many pensioners continue well into the nineties. An official mentioned the case of a father, aged 97, and his son, aged 72, who presented themselves at one of the Except in the case of husband and wife, there are not many families in which more than one member draws the pension.

Payment of Other Pensions. While the needs of the aged people are being attended to with commendable care and thoughtfulness, further payments are being made in the rear portion of the Welles!ey Street Post Office to all other classifications of pensioners. Payments fall on the same date." In the aggregate payments at this depot are much greater because so many of the claims are all based on disabilities sustained in warfare. Pensions for widows and in respect of miners are paid at this depot. While the Pensions Department has an office in Auckland, the work of paying out is done by the Postal Department. This saves the former branch of the service the necessity of maintaining a staff larger than is necessary for the ! r °" t, ° e . work of attending to records. The haison between the two Departments appears to be excellent.