PENSIONS BILL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18205, 16 October 1924, Page 9

PENSIONS BILL.

COMMITTEE STAGE. (ABBIDGZn ?XSSB ASSOCIATION XSPOKT-) WELLINGTON, October 15. To-night the House of Representatives went into Committee for further consideration of the Pensions Act Amendment Bill. Mr Sidey 6aid he wished to raise with tho Minister the question of whether war pensions should not be regarded as in an altogether different category from other pensions, and should not count against the receipt of tho old ago pension. Mr Fraser asked that in cases M-here pensioners were detrimentally affected by repeals of previous provisions, these repeals should not be retrospective and should not affect those already in receipt of pensions. The Minister, in reply, said the House had always agreed that anomalies should be removed, and it was clear that if a pensioner was receiving _ two pensions, ho was in a better position than those who only received one pension. There were 1100 receiving double pensions, and the other twenty thousand pensioners had only tmo, and what they can earn, and many had nothing but the pension. He thought all should be brought on to one level and so. as nearly as possible, he proposed in the Bill to fix a flat rate as a basis on which payment will be made. Mr Poland affirmed the desirability of removing anomalies, but deprecated tho suggestion that in doing so they should reduce the amount of pensions paid; they were too small now. A number of speakers dwelt on the nni'airness of reducing existing pensions, and before the supper adjournment the Minister announced that he prepared to make tho reductions apply only to future pensions. The tirat clause was passed shortly before 11 o'clock. On Clause 10, dealing with widows' pensions, a lengthy debate took place, members asking for increases which tta Prime Minister said would total £150,000. Mr Massey appealed to members to exercise a sense of moderation. At 11.55 p.m. the Bill was reported from Committee, leave being given to sit again.