OLD AGE PENSIONERS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 11, 12 July 1912, Page 4

OLD AGE PENSIONERS

TO THE ZDITOK. Sir, — Last Monday, a fin© but bitterly cold day, a number of very old, feeble people wore to be seen in. onr streets, and I was told that they were old-age -pensioners. One old man whose years must have passed the three., score and ten considerably, — or rather. I should say, was almost lifted by a very kindly conductor — into a tram at Courtenayplace. He asked to be put down at Stewart Dawson's corner, and the conductor, with all the time he had, at his disposal, helped him off again, the old •man begging him not to twist his leg. Although he had only a few yards to reach the pavement, so stiff and painful were 'the old man' 6 limbs' that had any motor-car or other vehicle come upon him suddenly there would . have . been little chance for' his life. The eight of elderly men. and women obviously unfit to be out at all,, and thinly clad, makes one wonder if nothing can be done in the. way of conveying their > pensions to them and thus preventing their suffering through having personally to attend at the office. — I am, „ etc., A. SYMPATHISER. 6th July,, 1912. . [Enquiry by a Post reporter at the Old-age Pensions Office show 6 that the department endeavours to meet the old people in every possible way. Any pensioner, may obtain a warrant entitling a reputable person to draw his or her pension, and we are assured that 60 per cent, of the pensions are paid to. agents thus appointed. Another point Stressed by the authorities is^ that any pensioner may draw the pension at the nearest post office on producing the certificate. Thus there is no necessity for the old people living some distance from tne centre of th« city to travel ah the way to Lambton-quay to draw their money.]