OLD-AGE PENSIONS.
WELLINGTON, September 7. In tlio House of Representatives to-day Sir Joseph Ward said he had promised to make a statement regarding the increases in old age pensions suggested by members during the debate on the Finance Bill. Ho regretted that after looking into the requests he was unable to agree to any of the proposals. The exemption of homos as suggested would mean an increase from £25,000 to £50,000, and the exemption of capital up to £340 per annum would mean an increase of £50,000. The extension of the income of a pensioner from £34 to £52 would also mean an increaso of £50,000, while if pensions were paid on the cessation of employment it would mean £2OOO additional. These increases would mean an annual coist of £152,000, and as he was proposing- to make increases totalling £250,000 in the Finance Bill, it was not possible to grant the requests made by members unless other taxes were considerably increased.
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Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 49
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161OLD-AGE PENSIONS. Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 49
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