PUBLIC SERVICE ANNUITANTS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 220, 11 June 1921, Page 9

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNUITANTS

Sir,—Apparently- Captain Barclays letter with reference to the above lias fallen on deaf ears so far as mo Board of Superannuation is concerns. Let it not he concluded, however, mat annuitants accept the position tnu» forced upon them as equitable. It is nothing of the kind. The majority oi those entitled to consideration are teacliere of the old school, educated in m 0 Motherland; not such as are likely to parade their grievances openly, preioiring/much rather to endure the extia pinch a brief while longer than to lay bare their circumstances before any tribunal deputed to settle the matter oi "hardship” or otherwise. Pride «- lone and no fake pride either— effectually bars numbers of us from tho remotest hope of a further bonus under the circumstances. And can you blame us? Could there be ought else but hardship with the cost of living at its present iigm. . while one’s total income reaches die munificent sum of twenty shillings a week? By all means let widows and orphans have the first call on this that is only fair and right. Their claims satisfied, the rwidus might more justly have been pooled, and lots draw. to decide its distribution. Some show of justice, at least, would have attached to the latter plan. Even then, the writer would have stood out; he has, thanks td Providence, no need of the extra dole. As things are, it is morally certain the most deserving cases will bo shut outOn their behalf have these lines been P To expend vast sums of public money on various works whose urgency is ex tremely doubtful, may be lauded as sound policy. It seems to me the ordinary wants of human flesh and blood should, however, have taken precedence. Believing that I am not quite alone m taking this view, —I am, DUM VIVIMUS. MVA.MLS.