SECURITY FUND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 212, 8 September 1938, Page 13

SECURITY FUND.

RETURNED SOLDIERS.

"TOUCHING CASE" PRESENTED

COMMITTEE STAGE DEBATE.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Wednesday.

On resuming for the evening sitting the House of Representatives continued to give consideration in committee to the Social Security Bill.

Speaking on clause 63 of the bill, which contains special provisions as to war pensioners, the Minister in charge of the bill, Mr. Nash, said the position on April 1 next would be that a returned soldier who had ten years' residence in the Dominion, would receive a benefit of 30/ a week. All returned men would receive that benefit, and if a returned soldier already had an income of, say, £1 a week, from other sources, he would receive a total weekly income of £2 10/ a week.

Mr. J. A. Lee (Government, Grey Lynn) contended that more was toeing done for the returned soldier under the present bill than had ever been done for him in any measure that had previously come before the House.

Mr. W. A. Bodkin (National, Central Otago) expressed the opinion that there were thousands of returned soldiers who would be compelled to contribute to social security fund who would never derive the age benefit on attaining the age of 60, 'because their income precluded them from receiving such benefit. He asked if the Minister would give special consideration to returned men as a class.

Mr. W. J. Lyon (Government —Waitemata) said Mr. Bodkin was putting up a touching case for returned soldiers who were well off. He considered as a returned soldier himself that the general outlook of returned men was that if the Government had any money to spare it should assist men receiving war veterans' allowances.

The Minister, replying to points raised by the Opposition, said that perhaps the pcovisipas which were contained in the Bill, which might be introduced in the House next day, would assist in clearing up. the position. The war pensioner, he said, at present received a pension amounting to 17/6 a week, but the economic pension would raise that amount to 30/ for himself, as well as £1 for his wife and 10/ for each child in addition to the returned soldiers' disability payment.

At present, said Mr. Nash, a war veteran received 20/ for himself, 15/ for his wife and 5/ for each child up to the maximum of £2 15/, while' under the Finance Bill he would receive 25/ for himself, 15/ for his wife and 5/ for each child, up to four in number, with a maximum of £3. However, added the Minister, the War Pensions Board had power to increase that amount to 30/ for the returned soldier himself and £1 for his wife, with a maximum of £3 10/. Provision was also made in the Finance Bill for South African veterans, added the Minister. Mr. J. Hargest (National, Awarua) said apparently the provisions were not for returned soldiers with money, but he would remind them that returned soldiers had served their country equally and had suffered the same whether they had money or not. Benefits at Age of 55 Tears. The Minister, replying to -the Opposition suggestion that returned men should receive benefits at the age of 55 instead of 60 in view of their expectation of life being reduced as the result of war service, said any soldier who could qualify for the age benefit at 55 would be able to qualify for the war veterans' allowance. If he were permanently incapacitated he would get relief by emergency or invalidity benefits. That being so, why reduce the age to 55? asked Mr. Nash. The clause was passed. A number of clauses were rapidly passed with little or no discussion until clause 7B was reached. This deals with the administration of medical and hospital benefits, and Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (National, Riccarton) asked the Minister to inform the House how 'far the Government had gone towards reaching agreement with the medical profession. It was pointed out by Mr. Nash, in reply, that this aspect of the bill could be discussed under a later clause, and the clause was passed. Foster Children Benefits. Commenting on the next clause, defining classes of benefits provided under the Act, Mr. J. G. Coates (National, Kaipara) asked if benefits would be provided in the case of foster children or adopted children? The Minister: Yes. They are all provided for under the bill. The clause was. passed. In reply -to a point raised by Mr. Hamilton at midnight on clause 84, Mr. Nash said doctors themselves were to determine what special skill was-, and the Minister would have pome representation on the appropriate committee. That was one reason that might justify an all-in scheme for everyone. In country districts doctors would have to be paid mileage. The clause was passed. Good progress was made after the passing of clause 84 when the sections of the bill dealing with medical benefits and pharmaceutical benefits were passed. At 1 p.m. the hospital benefit section waspassed. 0 The House also put through clause 94, dealing with maternity benefits, leaving practically only the financial section of the bill to Ibe dealt with. Tie House rose at 1.20 a.m.. I