Increased Pensions In New Zealand

Northern Advocate, 25 July 1938, Page 9

Increased Pensions In New Zealand

The Minister for Pensions, the Hon. W. E. Parry, moving in the House of Representatives that the report of the Pensions Department be referred to the Government for consideration, said he considered the report was an outstanding one. The total number of civic pensioners at the present dale, he said, was 764.455. The total amount of civic pensions paid this year was £4,613,279 while in 1935 it was £1.963.696. The increase over the years mentioned was £2.649.583. a sum which was greater than the total amount of pensions paid in 1935. The Minister added that he was very satisfied with the progress that had been made to date, and said he wished to affirm as clearly as possible that the spending of the national surplus on pensions or social security was not only sound economically, but in a humanitarian manner as well. Money paid out in pensions went into circulation more rapidly than any other class of payment. Reciprocal Tensions.

Referring to proposals for reciprocal pensions between Empire countries, the Minister said that as far back as 1913 the question of reciprocal pensions had been discussed between the New Zealand Government and the then Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia and a tentative agreement for a reciprocal pensions scheme had boon, reached. This agreement had been ratified by the New Zealand Parliament, and was, in fact still on the Dominion’s Statute book. It had not, however, been validated by the Commonwealth Government. Mr Parry continued that on the occasion of his recent visit to Australia he had again broached the matter of reciprocal pensions, and had submitted the most simple of schemes to the Commonwealth Government on the matter. The New Zealand Government was still awaiting a reply from the Commonwealth Government. The Minister said iic considered that every member of the House would agree there should be a reciprocal pensions scheme in operation between Australia and New Zealand. In the proposed social security legislation the door would be opened to its fullest extent for such reciprocal pensions scheme. Assist The Poor. Mr J. G. Cobbe (Opposition— Oroua) said there was one matter on which all were agreed, and that was that they should assist those in poor circumstances, and in poor health, also those who had given, their service to their country. The question of politics had not entered into the pensions system at all. and he had been particularly pleased to see that invalidity pensions had been instituted. I Although a good deal of money was i being spent, he was delighted to see that so much good had been done. Reports had been circulated, lie said, that if there were a change of Government in the Dominion pensions would bo reduced, that was contrary to fact, and he for one would not countenance it. “Learned Our Lesson.” Mr W. J. Poison said the reductions in pensions during the slump had been made with regret. A Government intcrjeclor: Would you do it again? Mr Poison: I don’t think so. I think we learned our lesson. He would point out, however, that several Labour Governments throughout the Empire had also reduced pensions during the depression. Mr J. R. Richards (Government— Eden) said he could not accept the Opposition's repentance, which, he said, had been made so glibly with lip service. He wanted a pledge from the Opposition that it would not interfere with increased pensions if it came into office. Mr Coleman (Government—Gisborne): Would you believe it if it, were given you? Mr Richards: No, I would not, unless it wore in writing. Cuts To Be Restored. The Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, dealt with the position of war pensioners and quoted returns showing that whereas in other countries the numbers of war pensioners and the amounts paid them had decreased in recent years, both numbers and amounts paid had increased in New Zealand. He added that the present Government had restored practically all pension cuts except those to economic pensions, and from April 1 next these would be restored lin full and benefits to war veterans I improved because medical, services j would bo provided for all classes of the community under the social security scheme on that date.