NO "PRESENTS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 299, 18 December 1935, Page 16

NO "PRESENTS."

PENSIONERS IN N.Z. LEGISLATION NECESSARY. LAW TO BE OVERHAULED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. It was announced this evening by the Minister of Pensions, Mr. Parry, that he had made a careful examination of the proposal to pay a Christmas bonus to pensioners, but the Treasury reported that legislation would be required to enable such a bonus to be paid. "This means no action can be taken until after the new Parliament has met," said the Minister. "I want, however, to give my assurance to blind persons, to widows, to okl-age pensioners and to invalids, who are suffering as a result of anomalies in the present Pensions Act, that they will all benefit in the reconstruction of the pensions law that the Labour Government proposes to bring down in the new year.

"I do not underestimate the size of the job," the Minister continued. "It is a big one, and I am pleased to have the opportunity of assisting to mould these humanitarian measures, which will create tlio foundation of our future national system of superannuation. This measure will have pride of place in my work in the new year.

"I am sure from the kindly messages of good will I have received from all parts of New Zealand that our policy will have the support and co-operation of all those who earnestly desire to see the first step taken toward the abolition of poverty in Now Zealand."