OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Bush Advocate, Volume XIV, Issue 277, 23 February 1903, Page 2

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Thb new regulations under the Old Age Pensions Act, which have been gazetted, are/ designed to enable a mtieh closer investigation of the affairs of;, the claimant being made before the claimant comes before the magistrate, to prevent fraud in some respects in which fraud has been suspected, and to safeguard the pensioner's interests in other ways. In the first place, a new form of claim is provided, aud in filling it; up the would-be pensioner is subjected- to far more rigorous examination than in many instances he had previously to undergo before the magistrate. Then, before the case goes before the magistrate the statements made by the pensioner will be verified by the Deputy-Registrar, who will sign a certificate to that effect. In regard to the issue of warrants authorising the paynient of instalments to a person other than the pensioner, it is laid down that t^s Deputy-Registrar shall not recommend the issue of such a warrant unless he is satisfied that it is expedient to do so, " having due regard to the age, infirmity, or improvidence of the pensioner." The idea is that if the pensioner is physically fit to draw his own pension he shall do so, as arrangements can be made for him to receive his pension at any post office by registered letter if the office is not a money order office. If the person proposed to draw

the pension is carrying on business the pensioner must sign a declaration that there is no other means whereby he can receive the instalments. A Maori pensioner will not be allowed to appoint another native to receive his pension ; in such cases the payee must be a European of good repute.

In the case of renewals of pensions, the Deputy-Registrar has also to satisfy himself that the statements of the pensioner are correct, before tho case goes to the magistrate, and where a pensioner has been working during the year, the Deputy-Registrar must enquire from the man's employer as to tho exact amount of his earnings.

In every case where two or more convictions for drunkenness have been recorded againsta pensioner, or where it has been reported by the police that a prisoner has miaspenthis pension in drink the Deputy-Registrar must oppose the application for the renewal of the pension. Further, if a police officer has reason to believe that a pensioner is illegally drawing his pension, or misspending his pension in drink, he must iisForm the Deputy-Registrar of the treason for his belief.