Increases, Falls, Interjections

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30561, 2 October 1964, Page 3

Increases, Falls, Interjections

(Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 1. While Opposition members complained, in what he called “rambling” speeches about rising costs which nullified increased Social Security benefits, Mr E. P. Aderman (Govt., New P 1 y m o u t h ) told Parliament tonight he was sure senior citizens would be watching television sets and the advertisements for decreases in prices. The debate was on the second reading of the Social Security Amendment Bill which implements the announced increases in benefits. Not only were their television advertisements of lowered prices, said Mr Aderman. but the grocers’ organisations regularly advertised price reductions. Mr J. G. Edwards (Opp.. Napier) interpreted Mr Aderman’s statement to mean that he disapproved of pensioners having television sets, a conclusion which Mr Aderman vigorously denied. Help With Rent The Under-Secretary for Finance (Mr Muldoon) said the increases granted pensioners were directly in accordance with election policy. It was not generally tealised. he said, that any single pensioner with assets worth not more than £2OO could receive the balance of his rent over 2s 6d a week, up to a maximum of 255, from the welfare fund. This

bad formerly been up to a ; maximum of 15s a week, but was increased last January. I A married couple with assets of not more than £4OO could receive the balance of their rent over £1 2s 6d a week from the fund up to a maximum of £2 a week—an increase from £1 10s last January, he said. The amount of allowable assets had also been increased. Mr R. Macdonald (Opp., Grey Lynn) said the beneficiaries with a little put away to give themselves a decent funeral were being denied the supplementary assistance benefit because of what little money they had. They should instead be entitled to “extra as of right and not to have to ask for it.”

Sir Leslie Munro (Govt., Waipa): You’re still surviving. Mr Macdonald continued that his heart bled for these people . . . Sir Leslie Munro: Well then, bleed. Mr Macdonald: Why don’t you get up off your haunches and say your own piece. Mr Macdonald continued that there were many aged people in his electorate who received “meals on wheels” but had to manage on a sandwich or less for tea. Sir Leslie Munro: Have you gone without a sandwich? Mr Macdonald: Oh shut up. You’re made of stone, living in a comfortable home with everything in life worth living for and ridiculing the aged couples on £9 6s a week and the single on £4 16s. The Speaker asked a “certain member” not to continue interrupting. In the adjournment debate which was on the cost of living. Sir Leslie Munro, who was not on the Government’s list of scheduled speakers in the debate, rose to his feet three times in an attempt to obtain the call, but was unsuccessful. Twice he was spoken to by the Chief Government Whip (Mr J. H. George).