OLD AGE PENSIONS.

North Otago Times, Volume CVI, Issue 13975, 8 September 1917, Page 2

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

FURTHER CONCESSIONS DEMANDED.

DECLINED BY MINISTER OP . FINANCE. ' (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, September 7, In the House this afternoon, Sir Joseph Ward said he had promised to make a statement regarding increases in the old age pensions suggested by members during the debate on the Pi nance Bill. He regretted that after S, l looking into the requests he was unable to agree to any of the proposals. The exemption of homos suggested i would mean incur an increase £25,000 to £50,000. The capital up to.flMO per iiiumnii would mean an increasp of £50.000, the exfeion of the income of the pensioner iroiu fo-1 to £52 would also mean an increase of £50,000. while if pensions were paid-on cassation, of employment, it would mean £2,000 additional. These increases would mean an annual cost of £1.12,000, and as lie was proposing 'fo make increases totalling £250,000 in the Finance Bill, it was not-possible to grant the requests made by members, uiites other taxes were considerably increased. . . ■