FINAL RUSH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 99, 29 April 1939, Page 13

FINAL RUSH.

SOCIAL SECURITY. BUSY AUCKLAND SCENES. LAST REGISTRATION DAY. What ono man culled "a characteristic of John Citizen"' made hard work to-dav for officials behind the counters at Social Security Department bureaux in the city and suburbs. He meant the weakness which so many Aucklandcrs seem to have of leaving the tilling in of forms until the last minute. To-day saw a continuation of the hectic eleventh hour rush of people completing their registration under the Social Security Act—a duty which was required to be carried out before the day ended. Although this is by statute the last registration day, however officials recognise that a number of people will be bound to have neglected or forgotten what is required of tliern. For that reason further registrations will have to be taken next week. At tho city bureau, on the second floor of the Chief Tost Office, the rush reached its peak yesterday. Again this morning a steady stream of people emerged from the elevator and the stairway into the big room, but the staff of ten clerks handled them smoothly and without congestion. The doors of the bureau were closed shortly after one o'clock this afternoon, but registrations taken at suburban post offices continued until five o'clock. Comparatively speaking, tlie scenes in the suburbs were busier than in the city. The queue of waiting people at Devonport extended at one stage on to the footpath, while the public offices at Newton, Upper Symouds Street, Onehunga, Ponaonby and elsewhere were often chock full. What was required of these throngs was to register and secure their coupon books. They did not need to pay the 5/ fee until Monday, but probably 70 per cent decided t» get this payment off their minds at the same time as tlioy registered. In addition, a considerable number of people filled in the forms which ask for details of income other 'than salary or wages. There is no urgency about this task, however, and many took the forms home to ponder over and complete at their leisure. At the same time, immediate attention to this was welcomed by the officials, who anticipate an even greater rush will be experienced next month, when the first payment of the social security charge of 1/ in the pound on income other than salary or wages falls due. They urge the public to make the payments as early in the month as possible, to avoid later congestion.