The Guardian And Evening Star, with wnich is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1930.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with wnich is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 1930.

INVALID PENSIONS

The Government of New Zealand through the agency of, the late R. J. Seddoiii, having adopted the humanitarian policy of providing pensions—for old age in the hr^t r instance —it follows there must be further advance with regard to aiding .the afflicted along similar lines. New Zealand has moved steadily in that direction. Apart from war, pensions, and in addition to old age pensions, there, are widows’ pensions, Maori war pensions, miners’ pensions, various economic . pensions (including,epidemic, and li.lind) ,as ..well as family allowances., These pension payments aggregate in .all £2,613,770 for the last yearly figures available. War pensions are at the head of the palynients, followed by. old age pensions. The war pensions are on the decline, and v wit-h the .Maori war arid South African idw declining, there is the possibility of the amount not increasing substantially, . Thorp is no cloubt these payments have been a great aid to those concerned. The old age pension js a boon tQ many worthy folk whq have borne the heat and burden of the pioneering times, and taken risks in the days of developmentSo with respect to other pensions, the widows’ pension is niPnltl to family life and the rearing of young children bereft of the breadwinner. The blind pen si on is one well deserved for those unfortunately afflicted. The war pension is but the discharge of a debt of obligation due to those who risked' their lives and health for the safety of those coming after. National security was won, and the obligation in respect to the bereaved, sick and afflicted is being • lfowourably discharged. There has from time, to time been references to pensions for invalids, and the proposal has beep approved very generally, though it has not yet materialised. It has remained for the Member for Westland (Mr O’Brien) to initiate in Parliament a hill which proposes to make provision for. the grant of pensions to invalids. A copy of the bill is before us, and Mr O’Brien is to he congratulated on, the step he is taking, for when passed into- law, this measure will assist to make life easier for many who as confirmed Invalids have a difficult outlook, and are beholden so much, on the charity and consideration of others, There are times when the fountains of goodwill are inclined to dry up. and iife for the invalid must on such occasions he precarious and a real burden. The bill to such will bring a measure of hone and comfort, which will engender thoughts for good wishes to the proposer of the measure in Parliament. Mr O’Brien has set out the bill on lines which should he acceptable generally. Jt is to apply to every person above the age of sixteen years who is permanently incapacitated for work bv reason of an accident, or bv reason of being' an invalid, and who is not receiving an old age, blind or widows’ pension. Aliens and Asiatics (except tboHO born in New Zealand or resident therein for 15 years’! are net eligible for a pension. Those eligible must have been resident at least five years in New Zealand, where he must be residing when making his claim, and was in New Zealand when incapacitated; also his state of health 'must not be self-induced, nor must lie have nnv claim against anv employer for his condition: his financial position shall not, c-veeed the limits of qualification for old age pension, and lie must not deprive himself of property to qualify for the invalid pension. Finally, his principal relatives (father, mother, husband or wife 1 ) are not in a position to maintain him. The limit of pension is fixed at £52, nor shall it

with any other income increase the pensioners’ earnings above £lO4. Where there is a family, there is an elastic provision reaching up to £206 in certain cases, and more where there is a child under sixteen years. The amount is finally determined by' the Commissioner of Pensions, having regard to all the circumstances of each case in relation to the limits of the statutory provision. It is proposed the act will come into force on the Ist. January next. Such in. brief is an outline of the measure which is on quite right, lines and its humanitarian proposals are certainly commendable. The pension will be helpful to those who are without resources due to serious disability. There are many cases among young children nowadays whi <li threaten to attend them more or less through life. To such who become confirmed invalids the pension will be a heluful means of succour and support, and genrally the trend of the movement is along desirable humanitarian help to the helpin's or seriously incapacitated.