Taxing Pensioners

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 237, 7 October 1938, Page 5

Taxing Pensioners

Mr. S. G. Smith Repeats Broadcast Assertion “NO EXEMPTION PROVIDED IN SOCIAL SECURITY ACT” Per Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, Last Night. Speaking at New Plymouth to-nigli:, Mr. S. G. Smith (National Party canuidate) said that, when he broadcast his speech on Monday night, he stated that everybody over 16 years of age, including pensioners, would be liable under the Social Security Act to puy Is 6d in the pound and that a pension, instead of being 30s weekly, would really only amount to 28s 6d. “Mr. J. A. Lee referred to my statement as a deliberate lie,” said Mr. Smith. “The Prime Minister, also, gave a statement of denial and Mr. Nash has challenged it. I challenge each and all to tell the public where in the Act pensioners are excluded from tax. As they have questioned my veracity, I am entitled to ask them to inform the public whore in the Act any exemption is provided for pensioners and also whether the words

‘every person,’ in Clause 111, do not include pensioners. 1 anticipate the reply may be that exemption may be granted later by Order-in-Council, but that is not the question I raised, which has been so vehemently denied.”

If the Prime Minister could show a clause in the Act specificially exempting old-age pensioners from the payment of Is 6d in the pound, said Mr. Smith, he was prepared to go on the stage with Mr. Savage at New Plymouth to-morrow night and apologise.

MR. ARMSTRONG’S PROMISE ATTRACTS DISAPPOINTED CROWD LABOUR BUREAU RUSHED BY UNEMPLOYED Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. It is very clear there are many hundreds of fit men in Auckland who are out of employment and who, although either registered with the Government Labour Bureau or the Placement Service, are unable to obtain work. Visits made to both of these offices in the past two days revealed that a steady stream of men called throughout the period seeking work in consequence of a statement made by the Minister of Employment (Hon. H. T. Armstrong) iu Wellington on Tuesday to the effect that there was no unemployment in New Zealand of physically fit men and women, and if there were any out of n job and able to work ho would place them in employment in 24 hours. Inquiries among men who made application for work because of Air. Armstrong’s statement revealed tho fact that no employment was offered them, nor did the Department hold out any definite prospects of work in the near future. Disappointment was freely expressed among the men and sometimes the criticism mado was forceful. Officials of the Department refused to comment on the position or to gi\ e any information, but the numbers of men at the counters and who crowded the vestibules throughout Wednesday and to-day sufficiently indicated tbo position, apart from the outspoken remarks made by many of them. MR. S. G. HOLLAND AT OAMARU AN ENTHUSIASTIC HEARING Per Press Association. OAMAiiU, Last Night. The appearance of Mr. B. G. Holland, National member for Christcnurcu North, on the stage of tlie Opera House to-night was the signal for rounds ol prolonged applause and cheers. AJ r. Holland was given a most enthusiastic reception by one of the largest political meetings in Oamaru. He spoke of tho enthusiasm of members of tne National I‘arty who had come together in a common eauso te fight a common foe, Socialism, and were determined Socialism would not be established iu New Zealand. All indications were for a sweeping victory on Saturday week. The Labour Government made no efforts to hide the fact that they had taken only the first step of Socialism and would go the full journey, but taut was not going to happen. The National policy had for its objective the maximum happiness tor all the people, the development of natural resources, the expansion of industries. the populating of fertile country with stock of local production. A more liberal policy had never before been placed before the electors. The policy was built on a proud faith in New Zealand and a deep-rooted confidence in the people. They were de termined New Zealand would develop, expand and and prosper. They would hand back to the farmer the control of his own affairs and free him fron. the yoke of Socialism. Compulsory unionism would be wiped out and the worker freed from the domination oi the Trades Hall. HON. D. G. SULLIVAN WELL RECEIVED AT HASTINGS Per Press Association. HASTINGS, Last Night. An enthusiastic reception was given the Minister of Railways (Hon. D. G. Sullivan) by an audience of about 900, which heard him speak iu the Municipal Theatre, Hastings. Mr. Sullivan was greeted by cheers and the meeting concluded with cheers for Air. Savage, Mr. Sullivan and the Labour Party candidate for Hawke’s Bay (Air. E. L. Cullen). There was a number of interjections during Air. Sullivan’s addreas, but these were of a friendly nature. Air. Sullivan dealt principally with a review of the work of the Government

and gave an outline of the benefits from the social security scheme. CHURCHES PROTEST AT PLANNED SUNDAY DEMONSTRATION APPEAL MADE TO LABOUR PARTY Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. A Labour Party demonstration to march up Street and rally in the Domain on Sunday next is the subject of a letter of protest from leaders of Auckland churches to the secretary of the Labour Party in Auckland. The writers state that they trust the Labour Party will realise the strength of the case for the churches and will add their endeavours to that of the writers to secure the continuance of the benefit of a quiet and restful Sunday to the community. MR. SAVAGE CALLS MR. WESTON A SUPER-OPTIMIST WELLINGTON, Last Night. Replying to a claim by Mr. C. H. Weston, president of the National Party, that it would be returned with 40 seats, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage described Mr. Weston as a super-optimist. “They might have nine, but the forty will be missing," he added.