EARNINGS OF PENSIONERS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25994, 23 December 1949, Page 8

EARNINGS OF PENSIONERS

ALLOWABLE INCOME NOW 30/ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER (New Zealand Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 22. As from January 1, social security beneficiaries and war veterans will be allowed to earn 30s a week, compared with the former 20s allowable as other income. This was announced by the Minister of Social Security (Mr J. T. Watts) after a Cabinet meeting this morning. The Minister said the decision was in line with the policy of the Government as enunciated during the General Election campaign, but the decision arrived at this morning went considerably further than was proposed at the time the National Party’s policy was issued. The proposal in the policy applied only to recipients of age and widows’ benefits. “Cabinet has now given further careful consideration to the position of other classes of beneficiaries and has decided to extend the provision for higher allowable income to the following classes:—social security beneficiaries; invalidity: sickness; emergency; and unemployment. This decision recognises the increased burden that all beneficiaries have to bear because of the increasing cost of living, and it is hoped that the increased provision *or private earning and the extension of benefits to the additional classes will be of material assistance to*those able to take advantage of it,” said Mr Watts. “There will be an incentive for such beneficiaries to undertake extra work tvith advantage to themselves and the country, thus complying with the Government’s aim of increased production.” The Minister added that his department had been instructed to arrange for an immediate review of all benefits affected, and an endeavour would be made for any extra money due to be made available early in the New Year.