OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIV, Issue 1222, 3 December 1897, Page 3

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Clause 8 of the Old Age Pensions Bill was under discussion in the House of Representatives during the whole of last So many amendments were moved, somo of which were carried and others rejected, that it is freely admitted that members were completely befogged as to the provisionsof theelauseas altered. One thing is certain : That the Bill is altogether different from that origin' ally submitted by tho Premier. We append the Clause in the shape in which it was left by the House on Friday night. It will form an interesting study for our readers : — Clause 8 : Subject to the provisions of this Act every person who at any time after the coming into operation of this act attains the full ago of 65 years or upwards shall thereafter, whilst in the colony, be entitled to a pension, as hereafter specified, for the rest of his life, unless disqualified as hereinafter provided : provided — a. That he is residing .in the colony on the date when he established his claim to the pension ; and also b. That helms so resided continuously for not less than 20 years immediately proceeding such date ; and also c. That during the period of four years immediately preceding such date he has not been convicted four times and upwards in respect of drunkenness ; and a'so cl. That be baa not been in prison during a period of four months, or on fout occasions at any time within 10 years before establishing a claim to a pension, for any offence which is punishable by imprisonment for 12 months and upwards ; and also c 2. That he has not at any time within 10 years of establishing his claim for a pension for a period of not less than 12 months deserted his wife, or refused, neglected, or failed to provide her with adequate means of I maintenance; or wilfully neglected to maintain such members of his family as are under 14 years; provided that if tbe pension c^rtifica'e is issued pensioners thereunder should not be affected by any disqualification contained in this paragraph unless the fact of such disqualification is established to the satisfaction of a deputy registrar within 12 .months after dato of such issue ; and also c 3. That he is not notoriously of drunken or immoral habits, and as such is known to tho police or any other person at tbe time he filed his pension claim ; and also c 4. That, if a wife, she has not deserted her husband or such of her children as are under the age of 14 years for 12 months within a period of 10 years immediately preceding the date on which she applies for her pension ; and also d. That his total income from all sources (exclusive of his personal earnings to the extent of L 34 per annum and his pension) does not amount to L52 per annum or upwards, computed as hereinafter provided ; and also c. That he is the holder of a pension certificate as hereinafter provided. For the purposes of paragraph b of this section, continuous residence in the colony shall not be deemed to liave heen interrupted by temporary absence therefrom unless the total period of such temporary absence exceeds 18 months. In the next clause, fixing the amount of the pension, it is provided that the pension shall be L3B per annum, diminished by Ll for every complete pound of income above L 34, exclusive of pension.