Old Age Pensions

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 155, 28 March 1932, Page 11

Old Age Pensions

Sir, —I notice a letter in your issue of March 21 headed, “Pensioners and Economies,” signed “A Young Man,” in which he refers to the hardships which will be imposed on old age pensioner:if the proposal to reduce the allowance from 17/6 to 15/- per week is carried: and passed into law. He tells us in hiletter: —“I have heard some very un complimentary remarks made on thi> matter, and I think none of them are out of place.” He said more than the above in his letter, and I am certain every right-thinking person will applaud his sentiment, so well expressed. I desire to assist “A Young Man” by commending his letter to the notice of every member of Parliament, and I suggest that each and every one should resist the commencement of the destruction of the Old Age Pension Act, which is one of the most humanitarian pieces of legislation ever enacted. I appeal to the Parliament of New Zealand, and I plead that they do not reduce the old age pensions. I have been an inmate of an old people’s home, and I have noticed how much the old age pension is appreciated, and also how exceedingly careful the old people are in spending their pocket money. It would do the members of the Economy Commission a great deaf of good, just to live for twelve months in an old people’s home, each one having an old age pension as his only financial support, and without prospect of any more. They would quickly appreciate the difference between 17/6 and 15/-. I cannot imagine a Parliament elected by the people of New Zealand agreeing to such a proposal. Parliament will assuredly find they are right up against the will of the people if they adopt this commission’s suggestion. I trust the Press of New Zealand will take this matter up, and give full and. free expression of their opinions on the proposed reduction in the old age pension. I am not writing this letter for any selfish motive, as I am an. old man who has not a pension.—I am, etc., OLD AGE. March 23.