Age benefits

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33450, 4 February 1974, Page 16

Age benefits

Sir, —Some beneficiaries are reported as angered by the smallness of the benefit ihcrease recently announced. While rents in Wellington may be higher than elsewhere, that should be the only reason for difficulty. Otherwise I think some people could be plain greedy. My wife and I, with nothing but the tiny interest on our small bank credit to supplement our benefits have been able even to renew household I durables such as refrigerator and electric range as required. We have been well treated by both National and Labour Governments. But that which gives Labour the edge on what went before is the concession on rates and telephone rental. The Christmas bonus just ices the cake. We who are well treated should say so. As for equating benefit with the basic wage, I think the tax free benefit with the con-

cessions now available must bring the benefit pretty close. Don’t kill the goose completely.—Yours, etc.. D. J, STALLARD Blenheim. February 1, 1974.