THE PAY IN PARLIAMENT TURNING THE TABLES OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 31, 5 August 1925, Page 5

THE PAY IN PARLIAMENT

TURNING THE TABLES

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

One might expect that after a, week's debate upon the Financial Statement there would be but little left for further speakers in the House of Representatives to comment on without . resorting to vain repetitions. But Btill the debate continues—one could hardly say without any trenching upon old ground —and there is no clear indication as yet of the end. Yesterday seven speakers recording their opinions in "Hansard," three members of the Opposition and two supporters of the Labour Party pulling the Financial Statement to pieces, and two Reformers, including ' the Minister of Lands, hurling some bricks in return. The Hon. Mr. M'Leod had quite a lot of ground to cover in his hour, for it is some days since a member of Cabinet commanded the floor. The House rose respectably early, as sitting hours go, and the debate is one. day nearer the end,

A justification was given by the Hon. A. D. M'Leod in the House of Representatives last night for the Reform Party going on with its organisation activities of late, and at the same time he took occasion to put on record cer-. tain statements made by Liberals on the question of amalgamation with the Reform Party. v . After stating that he had nothing to be ashamed of in connection with his position as head of the Reform Party's organising executive, the Minister said that in 1923 an early opportunity was taken to see if some understanding could not be arrived at between the Reform and Liberal Parties. The alternative was to organise, ajid organise properly, and no exception was taken, by the other side. The Minister stated frankly that the object of organising was io keep the Labour Party and the Liberals from getting on the Treasury benches. He then referred to the fact that as late as 4th February last Mr. W. A. Veitch, chairman of the Liberal Party's organising executive, had declared in an interview that "personally he was right up against any merger between the Liberal-Labour Party and the Reform Party." A Reform member: "Who was that?" The Minister: "It was Mr. Yeitch, chairman of the Liberal-Labour executive." Mr. M'Leod said that while the recent fusion negotiations were in progress the Reform Party ceased accepting candidates, as the general secretary of the Reform Party, Mr. James, had stated the other day. Mr. M'Leod then reminded the House that as late as 10th June last at a ceremony in Parliamentary Grounds, the Leader of the Liberal-Labour Party (Mr. Wilford) had referred to the Hon. R. M'Kenzie as one of the stalwarts who' stood shoulder to shoulder with the late Mr. Seddon against Conservatism which was represented in the present Reform Party. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui): it?" ... Mr. M'Leod: "You are prepared to fuse with them on certain conditions. This is the party that says we have taken mean advantages in connection with organisation." Nationalists:' "So you have."

The Minister in Charge of Pensions is being asked by Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) whether he will this session' amend the Pensions Act to provide that in cases where old-age pensions are being drawn for the first time the previous year's earnings shall not count against the pensioner in the computation of what the pension shall be.. "Under the existing law," says Mr. Sullivan, "if a pensioner during the last year of his working life earns full wages the pensioner is practically en-. titled to nothing at all, unless the Magistrate exercises a discretionary power in the pensioner's favour by exempting up to £2 a week of the previous year's earnings, in which case the pensioner may claim a pittance of £10 for the first year."-