OLD AGE PENSIONS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9931, 30 July 1908, Page 5

OLD AGE PENSIONS.

SYMPATIIETIO MRMBE RS

{I't/rlitt/iu'/i/ar// Special.)

A report from the Petitions Comittee,recommending that tho application of a resident of Christchurch named Farr. to have his Old Age Pension restored, should have the favourable consideration of the Government, excited quite a flood of sympathy in the House of Representatives, yesterday. It was explained that the petitioner was an old colonist and had been a scientist, an;] had identified himself with a lot of valuable acclimatisation work, but having grown poor, ho became, with his wife, the recipient of an Oid Age Peusiou. Recently, iie had a windfall. Somebody died and left him £100, and with this he paid oft' a number of long-standing debts, but lo ! when he went for his pension he found it was stopped for a yuar. The rovival of this case brought member after member to his legs, insisting on the Government introducing legislation that would prevent hardship occurring to tho old and deserving. Mr Hall secured a chorus of approving "Hear! Hears!" by submitting that a pensioner who happened to take "a drop too much" should not be fined 10s a week for five years. The Government will respuud to the pathetic appeals and bring in an Amending Old Age Pensions Bill.

Mr Horusby, yesterday, made a strong appeal on behalf of an old resident of Citrfcerton named Freebody. A number of years ago lie was sentenced to a term of imprisonment for cattle stealing, but after spending a couple of years in gaol, his innocence being satisfactorily established, ho was set at liberty. The old man is now infirm aud unable to earn his living, and as eighteen mouths must elapse before lie will be long enough in the Dominion to qualify for au old age pension, he asked that some provision be made for his maintenance in the meantime. Messrs Laureusou and Ross supported the application, and the Premier promised that Freebody , s claims would receive fair consideration.