OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12068, 25 July 1917, Page 6

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

INCREASED GRANTS PROPOSED

At to-day's meeting of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, it was agreed to call the attention of the Government to tho inadequacy of the old age pension now that the cost of living' is so high, and to suggest that tho amount of pension ho increased until such time as prices roach a lower level. Mr J. Paterson urged that the Government should leave tho allocation of old age pensions, especially in tho country, to local bodies, and not to a Magistrate. Mo knew of plenty of cases in bis district where pensions wero got too easily. Mr Cooper declared that it was far from easy to get the old age pension from the Magistrates. It must be difficult for some of the old age pensioners to livo on 10s a week in these times of increased cost of living. Mr Cooper road the Mayor's recent letter to the. Minister urging an iucrejiso in the allowances made to old ago; pensioners. Mr*\V. Nicholls snid that Mr Paterson was mistaken in thinking the pensions wem granted too easily. The police had to make full inquiries, and sworn declarations had to be made. Mr Paterson said that tho police knew of cases not worthy of being given tho pension. Tie know of several instances where men with a small freehold section, and keeping three cows, were receiving the old pension.