MEETING OF OLD AGE PENSIONERS

Colonist, Volume XLII, Issue 9476, 11 May 1899, Page 1 (Supplement)

MEETING OF OLD AGE PENSIONERS

"On Monday night, April 24th, there was a fair attendance of old age pensioners at the meeting convened at the Foresters' Hall, Mr Robert Burn presiding. After some discussion it was resolved to send an address to the Hon. the Premier and the following draft of same was approved : —

" To the Right Honorable Richard Joseph Seddon, P.C., D.C.L., Premier of New Zealand —

" Right Honorable Sir,—

" We, the undersigned residents of the Nelson district, being recipients of old age pensions, desire respectfully to convey to you, and to the philanthropic members of Parliament by whom you were supported, our sincere and grateful thanks for the promotion and passage into law of the Old Age Pensions Act, for the benefit and happiness of the deserving poor in their declining years.

"We sincerely hope that you will be spared for many years in the enjoyment of health and happiness, also that you may long be able to take a leading part in the affairs of the Colony for the benefit of its people.

"We moat respectfully subscribe ourselves, on behalf of the old age pensioners of the Nelson district, your humble and grateful servants, (signatures follow)." It was resolved that the address be signed by six pensioners of each sex, and a Subcommittee was appointed to get same.

Mr Graham, M.H.R., was thanked for the valuable services he had rendered to the pon&ioners. In acknowledging the vote ali- Graham expressed his belief that the old age pension had come to stay, although the present Act would have to be amended. He urged upon the pensioners to lend their assistance in preventing any abuse of the provision.

A vote of thanks was ccor the Chairman, who said he would aid power the carrying out of the Act in its irety. The meeting then closed.