ENGINEERS IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 140, 10 December 1935, Page 8

ENGINEERS IN PARLIAMENT

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —In the report in this evening's "Post" of an address given by Mr. O. C. Mazengarb to the members of the Institute of Marine and Power Engineers, he is quoted as asserting that 'not one marine engineer" has been elected to Parliament. This statement requires correction, and I would refer the speaker to the new Labour'representative for Mid-Canterbury, who is an engineer. Mr. Herring received his engineering training at one of the most famous firms of marine engineers in the world, and, moreover, for some time past has been teaching engineering in Ashburton.—l am, etc.,

MESSMATE.

December 9,

SIXTY AND OVER

(To the Editor.)

Sir. —I think everyone in New Zealand was pleased to see that the new Government is going to make Christinas a little better this year for the unemployed than has been the case in past years. Nobody grudges this unfortunate section of the community a little extra money with which to make their Christmas a happy one, and I trust that the extra money will not stop with the Christmas bonus. There is one body of unemployed, however, who appear to have been forgotten. I speak of the men of 60 or over who, through no fault of their own and purely because of their" age, are denied relief work and put on sustenance. How the Government can expect a man and wife to live and pay rent on" 22s 6d a week is beyond reason. They might argue that it is not meant as a wage but merely to supplement one, but with so many young men looking for jobs it is well-nigh impossible for a man of 60 to obtain work at the present time. If the sustenance allowance could be raised to 30s a' week the Labour Government would have many blessings bestowed upon it by these men and their wives—too old (according to the Government) for work, and too young for the old age pension. I sincerely hope that Mr. Savage, who has made so excellent a start in office, will, at least, help the sustenance man to share in the Christmas bonus. —I am, etc., ONLOOKER. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Let me add my congratulations to the Labour Party, who pledged itself to give the unemployed a' good Christmas. I trust, if funds will allow, that the old age pensioners will receive some consideration, as the lot of many is worse than that of those on sustentenance. Until twelve months ago I was receiving £1 2s 6d on sustenance tram ticket (12 rides for Is 6d), free boots, etc. The penalty of old age forced me from one fund to another, and the result is I now get 16s 2d as an old age pensioner and forfeit all other benefits. Here is a chance for the Sniith Family to do a good turn to many who feel reluctant to apply for help. The Department would, I am sure, supply a list for the Family's guidance.—l am, etc., TT T