PENSIONS FOR INVALIDS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 11 September 1930, Page 5

PENSIONS FOR INVALIDS

PRIVATE BILL INTRODUCED.

SYMPATHETIC RECEPTION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 10. Moving the second reading of the Invalid Pensions Bill in the House of Representatives to-day Mr J. O’Brien said lie realised the measure would not get far as a private member’s Bill because it involved an appropriation. He pointed out, however, that it bridged a little gap in the pensions legislation, and if adopted it would complete New Zealand's claims to the most progressive social legislation in the world. Thera were already pensions for the nd and for widows, but when a man was incapacitated but still alive, he and his. dependents were deprived of t e advantages of any pension. He pleaded with the Government to take the matter up, and if it would uot do anything this session to bring down a Biil on similar lines next year. Mr A. M. Samuel said he did not think any taxpayer would cavil at paying a little more to provide an allowance for the people who would be assisted by the Bill. He urged the Government to take the measure up. Messrs P. Fraser and W. E. Parry als. ■ spoke in support of the Bill. The Minister of Pensions (Hon. J'. G. (Oobbe) said he was sure the proposals in the Bill had the sympathy of every member of thp House. It was unfortunate, however, that at a time of financial stress like the present it was 1 impossible for the Government to do anything this year that would involve so much additional expenditure. He hoped it would be possible to do somethin;; in the direction of the provisions embodied in the Bill when the condi>ns improved.

Mr M. J. Savage said the cost of putting the proposals into operation would be a matter of transferring rather than increasing taxation The burden on hospital boards would lie transferred to the general taxpayer. The State should he prepared to accept its obligations. Mr R. A. Wriglit said the Bill seemed to have been carefully drawn, safeguarding the country in various directions against imposition. He agreed that all parties were in favour of some measure of the kind.

Mr O. H. Chapman, also supported the Bill, which was read a second time