SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICES

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22636, 15 February 1939, Page 12

SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICES

Six Hundred Men Employed

EFFORT FOR COMPLETION BY APRIL 1

(press association 1 telegram.) WELLINGTON, February 14. Working day and night in an endeavour to complete the building by April 1 nearly 300 men are already engaged in erecting temporary offices for the Social Security Department on Railway Department land in Aotea quay. The structure will replace the department’s partly-completed building which was destroyed by fire.

In addition to the 300 men actually engaged on the job in Aotea quay, nearly 300 others are preparing the framework for ihe new building.

On the job itself, two 10-hour shifts are being worked. Less , than two weeks since the original building was destroyed 75 per cent, of the foundations of reinforced concrete for the new structure has been completed.

“AUSTRALIA WATCHING WITH INTEREST’’

QUEENSLAND OFFICIAL PRAISES

HOSPITAL SYSTEM

(press association .telegram.)

AUCKLAND, February 14.

“It can safely be said that all Australia is watching with interest New Zealand’s social security legislation,” said Mr C. S. Coll, secretary to the Minister for Health and Home Affairs, in Queensland, who will return to Australia to-day after a month’s visit. He said he' was greatly impressed with the efficiency of the New Zealand hospital system, particularly the equipment and development of the massage and X-ray sections. The Director-Gen-eral’s organisation also impressed him. The Queensland hospital system adopted in 1925 was based entirely on that of New Zealand, particularly in the financial aspects of subsidies and rating. Mr Coll also paid a tribute to the efficiency of the New Zealand Tourist Bureau, which he described as the finest he had ever seen.