PENSIONS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 202, 9 August 1928, Page 8

PENSIONS

ANNUAL VALUE £2,631,361 54,248 RECIPIENTS, DISCUSSION ON REPORT. [Special to ‘‘Tribune.”! Parlt. Buildings, Aug. 9. The thirtieth annual report of tile Pensions Department, presented to Parliament to-day, shows that the annual value of all classes of pensions for the year ended December 31, 1928, is £2,631,361, as compared with £2,535,556 in the previous year. The total number of pensions payable is 54,249, as against 50,106 in 1927. The total amount paid out to 24,875 old-age pensions was £1,010,575, whereas in the previous year 23,751 pensioners received £995,353. War pensions, the number of which was 20,560, absorbed £1,151,979. In 1927 20,635 war pensioners were paid £l,128,988. LABOUR URGES INCREASE. AMENDMENT DEFEATED. [Per Press Association.! Wellington, Aug. 8. The annual report of the Pensions Department was discussed in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. W. E. Parry (Auckland Central) said the time haff arrived when the whole pension system came under review. A pension was not now a matter of right, but a pensioner must be down and out before he could obtain anyj recognition from tire State. The purchasing power of the pension was not now as great as in 1914, and to put them on the 1914 footing he suggested that the old-age and blind pension should be increased. This would not mean a very heavy expenditure, and to test the feeling of the House on the question he proposed to call for a division on the laying of this paper on the table. He thereupon moved: That it be a recommendation to the Government to make a pro mise for an increase in pensions for old age and in pensions for

the blind. The amendment was seconded by Mr. E. J. Howard (Christchurch South), who asked that the aniouni that a pensioner could earn before reductions begin should be increased to £1 per week. The Hon. O. J. Hawken: Where would you get the money from? Mr. Howard: Where did you get the money from for Singapore? Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton') said that the average increase in the cost of living was 61 per cent, on previous rates, but the increase in the cost ot living to old-age pensioners, who could purchase only the necessaries of life, was probably greater. Therefore tne pension should be increased accordingly, and he heartily supported the proposal to do so. On a division the amendment was rejected by 43 to 18. Mr. W. A. Veith (Wanganui) continuing the discussion on the main question, urged greater elasticity in our pension system to meet exceptional cases.

Mr. A. M. Samuel (Ohinemuri) urged the renewal of Government efforts to establish a reciprocal pensions treaty with Britain and Australia.

Mr. D. G. Sullivan (Avon) accused Mr. Samuel of blatant inconsistencyin voting against Mr. Parry’s amendment and speaking in favour of increased pensions. That amendment was the result of a sincere desire to assist pensions, and was not merely a political gesture. Mr. A. Harris (Waitemata) said that if it were not possible to overhaul the whole of our pensions law this session, there were outstanding anomalies which should be remedied at once.

Mr. R. McKeen (Wellington South) advocated larger pensions to those suffering from miners’ phthisis. The Minister was prevented from replying by the arrival of the 5.30 p.m. adjournment, there being only time to lay the paper on the table.