USEFUL CHRISTMAS BOX

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12015, 18 December 1924, Page 4

USEFUL CHRISTMAS BOX

TO WIDOWS AND CHILDREN HARBOUR BOARD’S GENEROUS YULETTDE GIFT. “UNAUTHORISED FUND.” The widows and children dependent on the Wellington Harbour Board’# Superannuation Fund will receive s generous supplement to their pensions as a result of the decision of the board last night, when the funds of “unauthorised” were called up to meet a special Christmas donation of £5 to each widow and £2 for each child under 14 : ears of uge for the festive season. PROPOSAL TO DOUBLE PENSION. The chairman (Mr G. Mitchell) remarked that some time ago the board requested the Government to allow them to increase the pensions to widows #nd children dependent upon tbe superannuation fund. The board wished to increase the amount by 100 per cent. The widows now received £lB a year and 5s per week per child under 14 yearn of age. They had not succeeded in getting the desired legislation. but as most of their table* were fairly full, this was tbe time of tbe year when they could think of the widows and children not bo well off. He moved that they show their appreciation by making them a contribution to the amount of £5 per widow and £2 per child from the fund “unauthorised.” He thought the 'hoard could do that quite well, for such a grant should have the first claim on such a fund. They had 15 widows and 14 children under 14 years of age on the fund, and his proposal would cost £lO3. Tbe “unauthorised” fund was mot expended last year. Mr Welch: Can we legally do ft? .The chairman: Oh, yes. We can Spend the whole of the £SOO any way we like. Chptain Post seconded, saying be felt si£ro the proposal would meet with the approval of the board. Mr M. Cohen approved the idea of increasing the allowance by 100 per cent., and asked if -there had been any obstacle to the passing of the legislation ? ANTICIPATING ÜBJJfICUUN. The chairman replied that they could not pay out tho increased amount without the sanction of the Government. The legislation had not gone through yet, but he proposed to take it up again next session if the board eo desired. It might he in the mind of tile Government that to accede to this would be tbe forerunner to similar requests from other parts of the Dominion, and if that was so he uouKl only say they would be rendering a great service to those dependent on superannuation funds. A Superannuation of £lB a year to widows and 5s per week to children was ridiculous, and he hoped the Government weald see its way to allowing the hoard to increase the allowance by 100 per oent. Mr Cohen seconded the motion which was carried unanimously.