OLD AGE PENSIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21893, 31 August 1934, Page 15

OLD AGE PENSIONS

Sir,—l am an old age pensioner of 63. My pension works out at 14s per week. My rent is 4s, leaving 10s for food, firing, light, clothes, medicine, fares, etc. Jt is not living, of course; it, is merely existing, and in the winter months ii is cheerless if one is not strong to cook one's breakfast on a gas ring and not light a small fire until 4 p.lll. I have lived 111 Auckland for 38 years and have reared six children, and I take exception to Mr. C'oates reference to the pensions as the State's bounty. For long years one pays rates and taxes, customs duties and the hundred and one demands upon one's income. In 38 years one has helped to lay many good roads, build bridges, railways and railway stations, big warehouses and shops, schools, insurance buildings and banks. One has helped to pay many incompetent members of Parliament their unearned salaries, helped Ministers to go to England for pleasure but little profit, enabled M.l'.'s and their families to travel free, while one has paid full fare oneself for 38 years. Mr. Coates should try to realise that were it not for these same despised receivers of the State's bounty lie would have a much inferior country to bamboozle. But, after all, we are to receive another 9sd ner week when the days are longer and the need for fires is past. Perished Pensioner.