PENSION HARDSHIPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1920, Page 3

PENSION HARDSHIPS.

A PLEA FOR INCREASES. By TaJeerach.—Press Association, . Wellington, Oct. 30. A deputation, introduced by Mr. P. Frascr, M.P., brought before the Minister of Pensions to-day the hardship? under which some old aye pensioners labored. Mr. I'raser said that widows who endeavored to cko out a livelihood hy going out to work found that, if they earned above a certain amount, their pension wus reduced accordingly. The time had coiuc when widows should receive what epidemic widows did, 20s a week for themselves and 10s Cd a week, in respect of eacli child.

A member of the deputation said that the deputation was of opihion that all widows should receive what a military widow was granted, £2 a week and 10s Cd for each child. It was also urged that the widows' peu3ion should bo for life, and should not cease when the youngest child reached the age of 14. Thevo should be an appeal board, from which widows could receive justice. Sir Wm. Hemes, in reply, stated that the deputation must not think that the Government was entirely devoid of sympathy The Government recognised that old ago pensioners were in a worse position than before the war. For that reason a £l3 bonus that was granted them was made permanent. He could not give details of the Government's new proposals, but merely the question as to how far tlio Government could go. He did not know whether a direct increase would be made generally, but it was proposed to make a bigger allowance for earnings, and there would be certain increases in the lower rates. Next session the Government lioped to provide an invalidity and sickness- pension.