SOCIAL SECURET

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24869, 8 May 1946, Page 8

SOCIAL SECURET

EMPIRE RECIPROCITY ENVISAGED . (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Mav 7 The ultimate extension to the L tire British Commonwealth ol the , ciprocal arrangements between lia and New Zealand for .S?; security benefits is envisaged by H. Rowe. Director-General ot Siiifi Services for Australia, who is in w , lington. Mr Rowe said the substaS ‘measure of agreement already reaehS between Australia and New Zealms would prove of great assistance in discussions on the question whirl seemed likely* to take place evenluui! among representatives of the Commonwealth The reciprocal arrangements tween New Zealand and Australia which had operated since laff : affected only age and invalidity EmS fit's, said Mr Rowe. However duriM his present visit, he said, he had aS cussed with the chairman ot the Sochi Security Commission in New ZealaS (Mr H. Digby-Smith), an extension <5 the reciprocal agreement to cover hm only widows’ pensions and famii, benefits, but also unemployment aM sickness benefits. Their submission had received the approval ot the Min ister of Social Security (the Hon w E. Parry), who would take the mat ter up with the Prime Minister <tu Rt. Hon. P. Fraser). Discussing New Zealand’s Stat, housing programme as a means ot solv ing the acute shortage, Mr Rowe said” “There is nothing in the Southern Hemisphere to compare with it. I have been tremendously impressed by the Government's efforts to overcome the shortage and its endeavours to house the people as quickly as it can.”