A PROMISE KEPT

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 152, 30 June 1938, Page 8

A PROMISE KEPT

I (To the Editor.) Sir—May I crave a little space to reply to "Alice in Wonderland"? The writer said that the Prime Minister goes about promising benefits to all but-some are not to become effective till after the election. I would like to call attention to at least one promise made by the Hon. Peter Fraser during the election campaign that has been fulfilled. At a meeting held in iKent Terrace addressed by the candidate for the Reform Party, I asked the speaker if, in the event of being returned for Wellington Central, he would bring pressure upon the GovI ernment to reduce the residential perliod of twenty-five years necessary to qualify for an old age pension. I pointed out that thousands of people brought to this country under the last 'emigration scheme would be seventyfive years of age before they would be entitled to an old age pension. He | replied quoting objections to the reduction. A few nights later I put the j same question to Mr. Peter Fraser who addressed a meeting at the same place. He said, "If I am returned to Parlia- ! ment it will be om of the first things i I will endeavour to bring about" and 'the promise has fceeri kept and the i period reduced to ten years, thereby entitling nearly four thousand old people, who had nothing but blank misery staring them in the face, to participate in the benefits of the superI annuation scheme when it comes into [vogue next April. These people, like the crowds who flocked to meet the i Prime Minister all along the route of I his recent tour, just to show their gratitude, will not forget when election time comes around. —I am, etc., i STEPHEN T. P. DOIDGE.