THE PEOPLE'S PENSIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 66, 11 September 1925, Page 5

THE PEOPLE'S PENSIONS.

AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW. WELFARE OF THE NEEDY. Wellington, September 10. The second reading of the Pensions Amendment Bill was moved in the House to-night by the Hon. G. J. Anderson.

The Minister explained that the measure provided for increases in pensions and modifications of the [conditions governing the granting of pensions. The benefit of the Act was extended to seamen who had served in vessels owned in New Zealand. Personal earnings for the past year were excluded from the computation of an income if the applicant had ceased to receive such earnings. Maori War pensioners may receive the benefit of the old age pension also, and native-born blind persons, or such as become blind while permanently resident in the Dominion for a period of ten years, shall be given the pension. Two new' clauses would be introduced at a later stage exempting the homes of old age pensioners and moneys raised by way of subscriptions for such people, except five per cent, of the income. The proposals would add £150,000 per annum to the cost of the pensions scheme. Mr T. K. Sidey (Dunedin) commented on the cost of pensions, but admitted that on the whole the measure gave additional benefits to the aged, though the purchasing power of the additional pension was very little more than the pension as it stood in 1914.

Mr W. E. Parry (Auckland Central), while expressing pleasure that the Government proposed to do something to benefit old people, complained that the pensions were not so large as they should be. The country could afford to pay more. He wanted to see a universal invalidity pension inaugurated. Mr 0. Hawken (Egmont) urged care in increasing pensions, which now, including war pensions, amounted to over £2,000,000 per annum. Almost every session some amendments involving increases in pensions were made. This huge pension payment was equal to the withdrawal from industry and trade of an amount equal to the interest on £50,000,000 of capital. Mr Hawken urged that pensions should be based on a contributory scheme. Mr H. Poland (Ohinemuri) commended the improvements effected in the Bill, especially in regard to the exemption of the previous year's earnings in the case of an old man suddenly incapacitated, but he urged that the invalidity pension should be introduced. The money should not be difficult to find, since the cost of the war pensions was declining every year. The period of residence required to qualify for a pension should be reduced to twenty years, if not to fifteen, as in England. At 1.15 a.m. the House reported progress. .