OLD-AGE PENSIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15826, 26 July 1913, Page 10

OLD-AGE PENSIONS

£80,000 INCREASE.

'SHELLBACK TORIES."

GIVE LIBERALS A LEAD,

CFbojj Oun Own ConnEsroNDENT,)

WELLINGTON,-July 25.

The liberal provisions made in tne Tensions Bill and the Old-age Pensions Reciprocity Bill were to-day the subject of tavourable comment in the House. The latter measure passed its second-reading stage in the afternoon without opposition, and the larger measuro was the subject of consideration in the evening. In speaking orr the reciprocity measure Mr Coutcs gently twitted Upposition members with their discomfiture at finding such liberal measures emanating from the alleged " hard shellbacked Tories." It seemed to him, ho said with some sarcasm, to depart from the policy preached by others tor the present Government, lie read in the papers that this wa6 a hard, conservative Government, but his conception of these measures was that they were, rather liberal and, that the Government could well be congratulated. He hoped the spirit of co-operation with Australia, would be carried lurfcher.

The Hon. Mr Fisher said he appreciated the suggestion made, and hoped this Bill would be the forerunner of other working arrangements between the two- countries. Subjects that could be so dealt with were workers' compensation, coinage, trade agreement*, and quarantine regulations. _ When the second reading oj the Pensions Bill was moved by the Hon. Mr Fisher in the evening explanatory details were circulated. It was stated that the provision made by the Government for paying women pensions at 60 years was expected to increase the annual liability for old-age pensions by a sum not exceeding £70,000 after the first 12 months, while the added annual cost for military pensions by the repeal of the income and property qualifications would be anything between £7000 and £10,000. The definition of income extended the exemption of friendly societies' benefits to widows' pensions, excluded consideration of charitable relief, exempted receipts from miners' relief funds, and excluded any capital moneys expended for the benefit of the applicant or dependents. It is also provided that any applicant for an old-age or widow's pension who at the date oi application is receiving income at the rate of the disqualifying amount shall be deemed to be ineligible. As the law stands at present magistrates have ruled that an applicant for an old-age pension who may be earning £3 a week, provided his income for the preceding 12 months does not disqualify him, is entitled to claim a pension until such time as his income has actually reached the disqualifying amount—£6o. Other alterations will enable the magistrate to include property disposed of by will in the computation of the pension of a deceased's husband or wife The practice has grown under the present law of persons with considerable estate leaving their property to children and thus enabling the widow or widower, as the case may be, to qualify for a pension. An alternative penalty by way of fine in lieu of imprisonment for cases of fraud is provided. This is to meet ,the case of an applicant with a considerable banking account who fails to disclose it and attempts to get the pension. Magistrates have frequently referred to the fact that the law did not provide for a monetary penalty, it being the practice of the department not to press for imprisonment. Another concession is that instalments due on January 1 may ,be paid two days before Christmas. The debate partook largely of a "Hansardising" character, as many members desired to place on record their views of the' pensions problem. There was never any question as to the Bill passing, for very early in the evening Opposition members, in response to interjections from the Government side, were constrained to admit that, though they might cavil at the Government, they would have to vote for the measure. Some recriminatory passages occurred at intervals on the basis of washing old linen and contrasting the present position with past promises. Mr Ell was one of those who struck the party note, and delved extensively into old Hansards for debating material. He claimed great credit for the old Liberal party for. pensions legislation, and said that the country was recognising that fact. " And when the time comes," he said, " there will be very little doubt as to the way the votes will go." Mr Masscr: " Hear, hear."—(Laughtor.)

Mr Ell admitted that Mr Massey was an acute tactician, and his aim was to divide and conquer, but there were evidences of the two parties in Opposition coming together, and if the second ballot were repealed they would see their way to the Treasury benches again.

The debate was continued with vigour after the supper adjournment, although there was really no criticism 'of the measure. A little before midnight the Prime Minister made a speech, and charged the Oppositionists with talking all round the-Bill. They talked against it, but he would challenge them to vote against it.—(Laughter.) The measure would have been brought downcast year, except for the finances being in a bad condition. Now they were at least ten times as sound, and the country could stand this extension. Every promise the party made would be honoured in due pourse.

The night was the latest for this session, and in some ways the most interesting.