INCREASE OF PENSIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 November 1920, Page 4

INCREASE OF PENSIONS

STATEMENT BY MINISTMi. j (Our Parliamentary »Correspondent.; j WELLINGTON, Nov. 11. Sir Wm Herries made a statement regarding the increase of pensions, when the Finance Bill was under consideration in the House. He said that Government had set apart £5,000 for additions to pensions of totally disabled soldiers, and £5,000 for additions to other pensions. The bonus of £l3 a year that had already been added to civil pensions was being converted into a permanent addition. That charge necessitated increasing the amount of income and of property allowed the pensioner without reduction of pension. Maori War veterans were to get an extra 5s a week and the pensions payable to widows had been increased considerably in 1019. The finances of the country would not permit of ordinary widows being brought up to the level 'of epidemic widows, since the cost would be about £200,000 a year. Government had not been able to make provision for blind people. He hoped next session that there would lie placed before Parliament a scheme for a general invalidity pension, applicable not merely to blind people, but to other persons equally afflicted. The Government, would know by that time, how large a burden the Treasury could accept.