WAGE AND PENSION INCREASES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 124, 28 May 1942, Page 6

WAGE AND PENSION INCREASES

As a disabled soldier pensioner T would like to protest against the unfair treatment meted out to us in this last rise in pensions. Practically all workers have had substantial rises from the Arbitration Court since the outbreak of war, in addition to which they have had two 5 per cent bonuses. Family allowance has been increased and the wage qualification extended. All very nice for the worker, and no doubt justified. But this has only forced up the price of everything for everyone. The only rise granted us is in the economic pension. There arc many partially disabled men who receive no economic pension, also there are many, who, like myself, are absolutely unable to do work of anv sort, who receive £1 to L'l 10/ per "week, plus £1 for wife anil economic pension of £1 10/. Out of this comes rent of £1 upwards, to say nothing ot special foods, etc.. and nuite a good percentage has to be spent in" the chemist s to assist us tn keen going at all. \\ e cannot enjoy the normal pleasures of life as we should and soon we shall be unable to a fiord e decent standard of life at ail. We do not regret our service, but .-•irely we do deserve consideration for our sufferings for DEMOCRACY.