Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1938, Page 6

Readers Write

When Mr Savage spoke in the Address-in-Reply debate he stated that soldiers' pensions have been increased and restored. SOLDIERS’ Excepting for a small PENSIONS, partial restoration of the economic pensions' cut, the Labour Government has done absolutely nothing for disabled soldier pensioners.

The economic pension is not available to the pensioner with less than 17/6 per week, and more than half the pensioners are in receipt of less than 17/6 per week. Of the balance, only those who Wave no income, and are unable to work, are eligible for an economic pension. The part fact still remains, as I have pointed out on several occasions in the “Advocate” that 5/ per week has still to be restored, and this is the only cut of any description that has not been restored.

Two weeks ago, Mr Savage, when speaking over IZB, during the “Diggers’ Hour,” stated that “the Diggers have my greatest sympathy.” Quite so, but that is all we ever did get from him. I would further remind this very sympathetic gentleman mat Imperial soldier pensioners are charged wage tax on their pensions; and wage tax is actually charged on the exchange. Besides this, a levy is made on their pensions, to cover administration costs. So much for Mr Savage’s sympathy. He has failed to honour his premise, given in writing, to amend legislation governing the administration of the Pensions Act of 1915, and subsequent amendments. How on earth any pensioner, colonial or Imperial, can vote for the present Government surpasses my understanding.—J. H. BROWN. Mr R. H. Allan evidently is stung by my letter drawing the attention of your readers to the fact that our Prime Minister, who, MR. BENNETT as such, represents REPLIES. the whole, and not part of the people of New Zealand, was present at the last Labour Party Conference when, in place of the National Anthem, the “Red Flag” was sung. I cannot understand what my superannuation has to do with such a matter. I am now drawing superannuation from the Railway Superannuation Fund (which was established by the late R. J. Seddon) and into which I paid contributions from 1901.

As for my playing the game, I am quite prepared to leave that t 0 the readers of your paper. In any case, was the Prime Minister playing the game by singing the Red Flag?—G. W. BENNETT.

In a letter appearing in a recent issue, signed Jean Boswell, we read: “In Russia, under the Christian (?) Czars, prostitution was WOMEN IN a scarlet stain on the RUSSIA .’ nation’s escutcheon. The Soviet took immediate steps to stamp the horror out,” This, of course, is taken from Soviet propaganda. The following which, I believe, comes from a trustworthy source, sounds a rather different note:

“A Bolshevist slogan, which is widely believed, is the “Emancipation of Woman.” The pretension is that the woman must be freed from the domestic yoke and placed on an equal footing with the man. In the year 1924 the Comintern Congress explicitly stated: ‘ The revolution is powerless so long as the family and family conditions remain,’ but in the practical administration of the Soviet Union the actual way of this highly vaunted ‘ emancipation of woman ’ shows itself in the fact that, without having the right to appeal for protection, women are forced to submit and surrender themselves to the arbitrary demands of the men, and they j have to earn their livelihood by heavy manual labour. Even in the labour I camps, which have the worst reputation, there are more than one million women.” Furthermore, Bolshevist propaganda asserts that the woman is released from the burden of having to look after her children. This task is taken over by the Soviet State itself. At the same time, thej official party press is forced to acknowledge that the army of and youthful criminals is steadily on the increase, Jean Boswell may not believe this t 0 be the true state of affairs in Russia, but perhaps the time will come when people’s eyes will be opened concerning Soviet Russia, where even at the present time wholesale murder is going on. Since your correspondent insists on open “warfare,” I will sign my name. —D. BLUMHAKDT. North Auckland Reps. Billetted at the Settlers’ Hotel today, the North Auckland team was coached by Mr Ifwersen. Under the managership of Mr P. Brydon, they will leave for Auckland at 8 am. tomorrow. ♦ • • • Diving Exhibition at Russell. Of particular interest to the Russell people during the visit of H.M.S. Leander, wore two diving demonstrations, one given in the middle of the week, and one at the week-end, when Chief Diver Harvey was giving special instruction to the younger ratings on manning the pump, and all that goes with deep-sea diving.