SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23417, 26 August 1941, Page 10

SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

Sir,—l notice In *"1116 Press”, to-day an .explanation of the position of . old age' beneficiaries over the .signature of G. W. Delh v lf he is/ correct, thow- is it’the pension has been; reduced of an old man' of more than: 70 years . of age; with no s capital' at' all, but.; trying to run’a'fann? Owing to the bad seasons and ’high cost* of *everything ;to cam} on,.' for ’ the last year hje v h*e Hot beeaiible'topay to*renVandafcthe

hind in his liabilities (apart from the year’s rent). On top of that, his pension was reduced nearly £2 a month, because his income was in excess of the amount allowed by the Social Security Act Could this be explained? —Yours, etc., IN THE DARK.

August 21, 1941. Sir,—The executive committee of old-age pensioners has been at work for some time past endeavouring to secure better conditions for pensioners. Many resolutions passed at general meetings of pensioners have been forwarded to the Minister for Social Security, and at the present time there is under consideration by the Government a petition signed by 700 pensioners of this city. The signatories to the petition ask for: (a) an increase in the amount of the basic pension; (b) an additional economic pension equalling the rise in the cost of living since 1939 and all future rises; (c) the, allowable income to have as. an addition an economic pension as per clause B; (d) a board of appeal to which pensioners can, through their associations,, committees, or personally, state their grievances. ‘ One >of the sore points with pensioners is that they are called upon to purchase 1941 prices’, on a pension fixed on 1939 prices. The • result- is painfully evident to those who have,to exist on 30s a week and who have no other resources. or assets.ln the matter of the allowable income it is nothing' short of scandalous old age should be forced-to look for jobs. It is safe to say that,9o per cent, of old-age pensioners are physically unable to work. . The committee has in.its explanatory, notes to the Minister for. Social Security'asked for the abolition of the "means” test Its abolition would mean that all persons over the age of 60, irrespective, of what their assets or earnings may be, would receive a pension as a right of old age and good citizenship. , Pensioners have nothing to fear from this Government in pressing for a reconsideration of such clauses in the Act which tend-to defeat the main purpose for which the Act was designed, namely, "that old-age pensioners should; in the eveping of their days, be able to enjoy life without the fear of insecurity." Let it be recognised that the committee has nothing but praise for what has been done, by this Government for pensioners,, out certain much-needed changes are necessary. The following are some other matters which the committee .has forwarded to the Government for consideration:—(l) Pensions to be paid fortnightly; (2) full'pension to a wife 50 years of age pr over -whose husband is over (10 and receiving a pension;,(3) full medical and medicinal benefits free of charge: (4) a more rapid building of • homes for single men. and women and married couples: (5), Government inspection /of all houses or rooms leased to pensioners: -rents to be fixed and no exploitation-allowed; conveniences to be up-to-date and no toleration of slum* conditions: (6) that the schedule’ of what ; constitutes : the basis of the pension- be made public; (7) that loans i required for ‘ any additional increase of pensions be a charge on • the Reserve -Bank and not to.be obtained tby taxation or as a loan ; frdm' bankers, and ifaat'nich loans' be debt-free. Thera are other matter* -which thd .-V t. H ». *’ tw V;

committee has written the Government about, but these are not necessarily for, publication. In conclusion, may I ask pensioners to get in touch with their committee, the members of which are all old-age pensioners and not one is in receipt of any remuneration.— Yours,' etc.. ■ ’ _ THE , HON. SEC.-TREASURER, Chch. Old-Age' Pensioners’ Committee. August '23, 1941.