PENSIONS

Grey River Argus, 12 September 1935, Page 5

PENSIONS

FOR INVALIDS AND EX-SOLDIERS Government May Act ON MR. O’BRIEN’S IDBa (Special to “The Argus”) PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, September 11. Although the Government’s plans regarding legislation providing for increased pension grants in certain cases has not yet been officially announced, it is understood trial the Budget, to-be IntrOLiueou by the Minister of Finance, next Tuesday, will make reference to at least, two important aspect's of the pension problem. It is regarded as certain that provision will be made in the Budget for a pension for men who have served in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces, and who have-suf-fered no war disability, but who have since developed symptoms which, la the ordinary course of events, would have entitled them to a perision. It is known this proposal is, at present, receiving the attention of Cabinet Ministers, and it would not be surprising if a proposal were included in the Budget providing for payment of a pension to ‘‘burnt-out” men It i s estimated that the cost of providing pensions for “burnt-out” men would approximate £lOO,OOO. Whether the Budget would be able to carry this load is a matter for consideration. It is understood that the question of providing pensions for invalids is at present receiving the serious conMderation of the Government. For some years past, the Labour Member for Westland (Mr. J. O’Brieu) has urged that provision should De made for those who find themselves Uttable to meet the existing economic circumstances. and it is stated that the Government has now plans to provide some measure of relief or invalid pbn sions. " Whether the Government’s proposal will come up to the suggestion' of the Labour Partv that a pension if £1 a week, plus 16s for every dependent for invalids, is a matter for- conjecture, and the Government’s intentions will not be revealed until the Budget is presented by the Minister of Finance. It was ascertained to-day that the Minister of Pensions, Mr. Cobbe. has before him several schemes for the improvement of the position of pensioners in New Zealand, but, when interviewed, the Minister declined to make any statement as to the Government’s intentions. “All you can do,” said Mr. Cobbe, “is to wait- for the presentation of the budget.”