WHERE FROM?

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

WHERE FROM?

SECURITY MONEY. • 1 the bill in committee. *OUNO PEOPLE'S PART. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. When the Committee discussion on the Social Security Bill was resumed in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, Sir Alfred Ransom (National, Pahiatua) emphasised the [ Opposition's contention that the Government had not taken sufficient . account of the country's ability to support the taxation required for the operation of the scheme. The greatest weakness in the measure was the fact that it was dependent upon an increase m production for its continued operation, said Sir Alfred. It was obvious to everyone that the charges necessary Under the bill would increase from year to year, and unless income could keep pace with this increase in costs the scheme could only end in failure. The Government was seeking to double by one Act of Parliament the costs of social services which had been built up by a careful and gradual economic process over a period of 50 years. This was an enormous step to take, and the country could feel more confident if the , Government had devoted more consideration to the question of fitiance. It was on these general lines that the Opposition found itself at a difference of opinion with the Government. Sir Alfred then said the bill contained no provision for the cessation of contributions by superannuitants after they had qualified as beneficiaries. This apparently meant that they were to continue paying into the fund while drawing superannuation. If that position were not altered then the system of superannuation, as it was known in New Zealand, would be broken down. The bill had little to offer the young people, added Sir Alfred. It was not the ambition of the youth of New Zealand to become dependent on the State at the age of sixty-five years. His ambition was to be able to provide for himself in his old age. Under the bill there would be a tendency for that spirit of independence to degenerate, and that would ultimately react to the detriment of the nation generally. Plunge Into Dark. "New Zealand is on the verge of taking a plunge into the dark," said Mr. W. P. Endean (National, Parnell), who also criticised the bill on the grounds of finance. The country was not provided with any sound estimate of costs, he added. The country so far knew no more than that it was about to acquire an expanded system of social serviced, but it did not know what that expansion was going to cost. _ Referring to the health services outlined in the bill, Mr. Endean said a sharp conflict existed between the medical profession and the Government, The Chairman of Committees (Mr. E. J. Howard): That is not in the bill. Mr. Endean: I am referring to the health services and the conflict with the' doctors. Mr. Howard: There k nothing in the bill about a conflict. Mr. Endean: I want to suggest some alteration to the Bystem provided in the bill. Can I be prevented from doing that? Mr. Howard: You cannot do that at this stage. Mr. Endean added that the bill did not offer the people a direct proposition. All it did was to outline a nebulous plan that might or might not be put into operation. , Friendly Societies. Was there anything in the bill to give the friendly societies the encouragement they deserved T asked Mr. G. W. Forbes (National, Hurunui). It was commonly believed that the bill meant the end of the societies. The Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash, said that the Government realised the splendid work of the friendly societies, and was anxious to help them as far as possible. Payments made to friendly societies did not affect the benefits given by the bill, and friendly society members would get benefits additional to those in tho bill. The societies were to be used by the Government in carrying out the provisions of the legislation. For example, they would pay to their members the benefits proposed. If a member's child were ill and there was a benefit payable, the benefit would be paid to the friendly society concerned, and similarly with the wife of a member also qualified for a benefit. There was provision in the bill for the Government, inside the tentative agreements made, to do all that it could to encourage the friendly societies. To the extent that the existing societies could help the Government to distribute the proposed benefits the Government wanted people to join the ( societies. He did not know of any finer investment for young people than to be paying into the Social Security Fund, declared Mr. Nash. Hie comparative benefits offered by any other form of ; organisation or society were not com- • parable with those in the bill, and it was an unfair indictment of the young ■ people of the Dominion to suggest that they would object to providing for others as well as for themselves against old age, sickness, accident, unemploy- t ment, and the other contingencies that < had been taken into account. Help in Home. ' Mr, Nash said that an allowance made j to a daughter for her help in the home j would not be liable for contribution to tho Social Security Fund. There was a < great difference between a case of that , sort and a case of a son working in his > father's factory. , "It has been suggested that the cost to hospital boards will go up, but it can only go up because there are people < to-day sick and not getting the atten- ! tion they need," the Minister continued, t "There can be no other reason. If the 1 hospital population is to grow with the < passing of this bill because the, treat- > ment will be free, it means that there are people in this country to-day not getting treatment because it is out of their reach. The answer if the hospital ' population remains constant is that the ! hospital boards will make a profit." The 1 average collection at present was 2/8 ' per day for each occupied bed, and the J proposal was' to give the board 6/ a patienti * Mr. H. G. R. Dickie (National, Patea) pointed out the difficulty of obtaining ] domestic help, and suggested that do- , mestic workers should not be liable for ] contVibutionfe to the fund. < Opposition members continued the dls- , cussion for a further" 15 minutes, when ( the short title was approved without i opposition. ;