PARLIAMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 16 October 1924, Page 7

PARLIAMENT.

PENSIONS BILL. (by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.; WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. The House of Representatives met at 2.30 p.m. ' : - - The House went into committee to consider the Pensions Amendment Bill. Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) said he wished to raise with the Minister the question of whether w,ar pensions should not be regarded as :in altogether a. different pategory , from, other pensions and should not count against the receipt of old age pensions. Mr. P. Fraser (Wellington. .Central) argued that in cases, where pensioners were detrimentally affected by the repeals of previous provisions these repeals should not be retrospective and should not affect those already in receipt of pensions. . The Minister, in reply, said the House had always agreed that anomalies should be removed,. and it was clear that if a pensioner was receiving two pensions he was in a better position than those who only re- : ceived one pension. There were 1100 . receiving double pensions . and the other twenty thousand pensioners had only cue and what they could earn. Many had nothing but their pension: He thought all should be brought on 7 to one level, and so. as nearly as pos-: fiible he proposed in the Bill to fix a flat rate as a basis on which payment would be made. : Mr. IT. Poland (Ohinemuri) affirmed the desirability, of removing anomalies,, but deprecated the .suggestion that in doing so they should reduce the amount of pensions paid! They were-: too- small now. • A number of speakers dwelt on. the unfairness of reducing existing pen i; - sinus, and the Minister announced" that he would he prepared' -to Tnake' the reductions - apply ..only., to futurp--pensions. The first clause was passed shortly before eleven o’clock. ....... , _ On clause 10, dealing-with widows : pensions, a lengthy debate 1 took place,', members asking .for increases-,. .winch . the Premier said would total .-£150,000. Mr. Massey appealed to members to exercise a sense-of moderation.' At T 1.55 p.m. the Bill, was reported from committee: leave being given to sit again. PRODUCE BILLS. The Hon. W. Nosworthy said, he .would like to take .the second reading of the Meat Export Control Amendment Bill and the Dairy Produce. Export Control Amendment Bill, but as there were indications of . strenuous' opposition from the Labour benchesthe proposal was not proceeded ' with.. and the House rose at midnight Oil 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.