OLD AGE PENSIONS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 10

OLD AGE PENSIONS

Discussion on Method of Payment Whether the present method of paying old-age pensioners was in the best interest of pensioners was a question discussed at the conference of the Federation of New Zealand Jutices Associations yesterday, and a remit from the Auckland association urging that pensions and superannuation should be paid in the same efficient manner as that used by all banks in New Zealand was passed. Mr. D. Donaldson (Auckland) said the day was long passed when human beings should be in the embarrassing position of having to stand in queus like cattle to receive their money. It had been another scandal in the administration of which citizens might well be ashamed.

Several delegates stated that there had been cases of imposition, which made it necessary that pensioners should be seen by someone in authority. Mr. A. H. Hobbs (Canterbury) said he had hail a great deal to do with pensioners, and he had never received a complaint. A further remit urging that no oldage pensioner should have his pension attached when such attachment meant depriving him of food was referred to the executive for the preparation of data showing cases In which pensioners had been affected. The president, Mr. H. IL Seaton, said it was illegal for a man’s pension to be affected. In the case of an indictable offence where a man might be imprisoned for six or 12 months, the pensioner, lie expected, would be estreated.