PENSION LAW

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 109, 18 February 1937, Page 10

PENSION LAW

AMENDMENT PROPOSED. COVERING THE GAPS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 17. “Some amendments to tho pensions law may have to be made next session, but it seems likely to me that a lot of gaps in the present system wilt be covert! by national suprannuation,” said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) to-day, after the conclusion of tho Government party caucus at Parliament House. “A statement on pensions was submitted to caucus by the Minister in charge (the Hon. W. E. Parry), and the subject was discussed. “There is no doubt there are several anomalies in the existing system with cases of individual hardship, but as I have already indicated the national superannuation plan should go far to overcome many of the difficulties. The Government’s National Superannuation Bill will he introduced next session and passed; yes, it will bo passed even if it he necessary to keep Parliament in session until the end of the year.” Mr Savage also said that the Government’s housing scheme and legislation dealing with relief for mortgagors and tenants were discussed and details of the progress made with State housing were given by Mr J. A. Lee, Parliamentary Under-Secretary. The Attorney-General (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason) outlined what was being done for mortgage adjustment under the new legislation. “As to housing,” Mr Savage remarked, “caucus expressed keen appreciation of the work that had been done and was being carried on. Members were satisfied that a good type of house was being provided and that the most economic methods had been adopted.” It is gathered that within a few weeks construction will ho going forward on the initial schemes for Wellington end Auckland. About 375 houses are to be built in the Hutt district and 212 at Orakei. It is expected in official circles that next week plans lor the erection of 50 houses in Christchurch will he in hand. The scheme for Dunedin will soon follow. After the'initial stages, construction will he accelerated in the various centres of population, and ultimately between 2000 and 3000 houses will be let by tho State to workers with a wage of not more than £6 a week.