ASSISTANCE FOR WIDOWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25276, 13 July 1943, Page 6

ASSISTANCE FOR WIDOWS

Sir,—The suggestion offered by the town clerk of Invercargill for the formation of committees of members of social service organisations to assist Widows may be very sound, providing these persons help and advise, but at no time attempt to dictate or interfere. The trend of present Government activities is to overlook the self-determination which is the right of every individual. Herewith may also be taken into consideration the inquisitorial activities of officials of the Pensions Department. To my certain knowledge, a widow has to undergo a particularly searching investigation, and in actual fact cannot utilise, or obtain, a penny piece without disclosing her entire private business to the department. I am cognisant of the case of a widow who was asked to account for a sum of money accruing from the sale of an asset over two years ago. This money was obtained before her application for pension was made, and furthermore, was in any case declared with her cash in hand at the time. The average person can be so worried and bluffed by the intricate filling in of such forms that he or she could break the law without knowing it. In any case, any applicant is, at the outset, up against a system of departmental administration that seeks, not to ascertain the full extent of the benefit to which one may be entitled, but rather to find each and every loophole whereby it may be possible to deduct a shilling or two of the pension payable to a widow. This is a matter deserving of the closest public scrutiny and attention.—l am, etc., Dunedin, July 10. Disgusted.