VETERANS’ PENSIONS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 13 October 1933, Page 6

VETERANS’ PENSIONS

REQUESTS TO MINISTERS. WELLINGTON, Thursday. A deputation comprising members of the executive of the South African War Veterans’ Association waited upon the Minister, of Defence, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, this afternoon, urging a reduction in the ages of persons receiving veterans and old age pensions from 65 to 60 years, and an increase in the pension of from £l3 to £26. The deputation also asked that New Zealanders who had served in other units should be eligible for a pension. A request was also made to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. J. A. Young, that the full benefit of an art union be used in relieving distress among South African war veterans. Mr Cobbe, replying, pointed out that a reduction in the age of those entitled to the pension would mean an additional cost of £B6OO this year and the amount would be increased for a few years to follow. However, he had full sympathy with the representations and would consider the question with the Commissioner of Pensions. Mr Young pointed out that out of the last four art unions, a sum totalling £34,000 had been allocated for relief, and said he could not answer for associations receiving the full benefit of one, although he would go into the question. This form of raising money, he observed, was not as profitable as it had been. As time wore on, art unions were becoming considerably less remunerative. —'(P.A.)