PENSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 207, 2 September 1936, Page 6

PENSIONS.

Since the introduction of old age pensions into New Zealand, the system has been gradually extended, and with an occasional setback due to economic difficulties the lot of the pensioner has been gradually improved. The Bill debated in the House of Representatives last evening further extends the payments to over 23,000 persons who now receive no payment at all, but who are incapacitated either by old age or invalidity. sides of the House expressed appreciation of this extension, and it will undoubtedly do a great service to many who have been victims of accident or disease. It is only an instalment of a greater scheme of contributory superannuation, but something more than that should be considered. It should be recognised that the assistance which is to be given to the congenitally defective may result in building up a still greater burden by making the marriage of the unfit not only possible, but easy. Means to check this increase should be devised. The measures already taken to check disease, by making dental and medical assistance available in time to prevent serious inroads on the general health of the population, should be extended. More disease prevention would mean fewer \ pensions.