NEW PROVISIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 207, 2 September 1938, Page 11

NEW PROVISIONS.

IMPORTANT CHANGES. EIGHTS OF PENSIONERS. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. A long list of amendments to the Social Security Bill was introduced by Governor-General's Message towards the close of the sitting of the House to-night. The supplementary; Order Paper containing the amendment was itself almost the size of' an ordinarybill. New provisions of the greatest importance affect the rights of war pensioners and National Provident Fund contributors under the bill, while a new clause makes companies liable for a charge on Income, the rate being on the same lines as social security contribution on private incomes. The clause in the bill which makes special provision with regard to war pensioners is extended so that it will safeguard the position of war pensioners who may claim age, sickness or unemployment benefits under the bill. The applicant will be able to. receive an age benefit in addition to his war pension of 17/6 a week, making the maximum double benefit of 47/6 a week. Special provisions are also included with respect to certain classes of applicants for the age or widows' benefits who are in receipt of benefits from the National Provident Fund. The classes comprise persons who were contributors to the fund before the passing of the National Expenditure Adjustment Act, and widows whose husbands were contributors to the fund after January 1, 1927, and before the passing of that Act. If persons in either of these classes apply for benefits under the Social Security Bill, the commissioners are empowered to grant them the highest rate to which they would be entitled.