PARLIAMENTARY PENSIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26639, 9 December 1947, Page 9

PARLIAMENTARY PENSIONS

Sir,—May I be permitted to draw your readers’ attention to the tendency for correspondents in your columns adversely to criticise the legislation and administrative acts of the present Government? They have a tendency to do this in a manner which indicates their alleged superior mentality and intelligence, and that nothing the present Administration can do is worth while. A case in point appeared in your columns of Saturday over the nom de plume of "Awake.” One readily admits that the Parliamentary Pension Act is not perfect, but at least it is an honest and straightforward attempt at democratic and progressive legislation, and must in all fairness be admitted as setting a lead for other progressive countries to follow. For even a small-minded critic like “Awake ” must admit that many parliamentarians in the past have been left stranded financially, after giving many of their best years to the public life of the country, and had to depend on grants from Parliament ,to keep them going. It will require a few years’ trial to test its efficacy and soundness, even if in the meantime it may be subject to some measure of abuse, as indicated by your rather carping critic. The most unfair part of his letter was his mean attack on the brilliant and talented member for Oamaru (Mr Nordmeyer). This, after the lavish praise passed to him in the House by some of the leading members' of the Opposition, including that brilliant Opposition debater, the member for Remuera (Mr Algie).— I am. etc., Joe Citizen. [Much abridged.—Ed. O.D.T.]