NATIONAL INSURANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 206, 1 September 1933, Page 6

NATIONAL INSURANCE.

Wc have a Prosperity. Week to raise a large sum for the relief of distress. I should like to propose that a good proportion of that money be earmarked for the helping of all those who are of middle age and physically unable to work. These are the people in illhealth who want practical help and sympathy. The case of "Age Limit" is one that calls for immediate action, and all those in like circumstance, and when we decide to act, let it be done quickly —not one of us should feel at ease whilst our fellow man, through no ! fault of his, should at the age of 65 have to starve and struggle to get a sufficiency to keep life going. Our system is wrong that casts aside on the scrap heap its men and women after they have done their fair share of life's toil. Why, with all the boast of 1 progress and civilisation, have we not provision for all those whose age or infirmity should entitle them to spend the last years of life free from the struggle of earning their daily bread? Have we not crowds of the younger generation who should be doing the work which necessity is making the old and physically unfit cling to? It is high time we had a national insurance scheme so that when age or sickness overtakes anyone, preventing them from work, there is enough to keep them from want. I think it is Belgium which has an insurance scheme of this kind. Every child born, rich or poor, pays Id a week to the insiirance fund, and only those in need can derive Benefit from it. It is a wider and more embracing scheme than our present old-age pension—and the age limit to receive must be lower than at present. But, for pity's sake, give help from our charity funds without delay. RUBY E. WATSOX.