RETIREMENT OF MR KEARINS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27414, 29 July 1954, Page 12

RETIREMENT OF MR KEARINS

FAILURE TO SECURE RENOMINATION

“ELEMENTS OUTSIDE THIS HOUSE” CRITICISED

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 28. “I want to thank my colleagues for the right they gave me to vote as I thought fit on the King Country liquor ?uestion, but I cannot say the same or elements outside this House, which used that against me in my nomination,” said Mr R. Kearins (Opposition, Waimarino), speaking on the Budget debate in the House of Representatives tonight. Mr Kearins said he felt that at least he had earned the respect of the people he represented, and it was no fault of theirs that he was not given the right to contest a seat in the House again. “Personally, I think fair play is bonny play, and everyone in New Zealand wants a person to get a fair run,” he said.

Mr Kearins defended the party system, but spoke against the “seatwarmers” and the “Yes men” in the caucus rooms. One duty of a member of Parliament was to strive to carry out the policy upon which the party had pledged itself to the people. He should strongly denounce any intention by the party to vary that policy. Unfortunately, some elections had been nothing more than “auction sales,” and when a Government was returned the wishes of the people were flouted, because it was found impossible to carry out the promises. The present Government, he added, must have an uneasy conscience on this score. The party system was the best devised, though it had its faults, he continued. criticising the “seat-warmers” and “Yes men” who were sometimes elected. He said they waited to see which way the majority decision would go before putting up their hands. Endangering the party system was a great body of opinion expressing the view, “a plague on both your houses.” The Government would have to take a strong stand against pressure groups, which won concessions only at the expense of the rest of the community. Intrigue and ruthlessness were • well entrenched, he added. Political parties had a responsibility to ensure that those who came into the House were a cross-section of the people. There was a growing tendency for careerists and professional politicians to “make a big play” to get into the House, Mr Kearins said.

RETIRED PUBLIC SERVANTS

Effect Of Budget On Superannuation

MR TURNBULL REPLIES TO MR HOLYOAKE (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 28. “In spite of the information contained in my published statement after Mr Holland presented the Budget, the Deputy-Prime Minister (Mr K. J. Holyoake) has virtually repeated Mr Holland’s misleading statement as to the benefits given to Government superannuitants,” said Mr J. Turnbull, general secretary of the Public Service Association, in a statement today. “Mr Holyoake is reported as having said: ‘Of the 11.600 Government superannuitants, probably 7500 will receive benefits of up to £so.’ This is wrong,” said Mr Turnbull.

‘‘The true position is that, of the 7500 superannuitants mentioned by Mr Holyoake, will not benefit at all, or will benefit only to a very small extent, because the age benefits they are now receiving will be reduced by as much or nearly as much as their increased superannuation.

“A large proportion of the others will still be working, and thus ineligible to receive the age benefit, but as soon as they cease working, their present gain from increased superannuation will be lost in whole or in part. “The rest of the 7500 will benefit from the superannuation increase, but they will mostly be single persons or widowers, or married men who themselves and their wives are over 65. The benefits will seldom reach the maximum, which incidentally is £46 5s net, and not £5O. “It is also worth noting that the ones who benefit are not those who are most in need,” Mr Turnbull said. “Those who are working or who have other incomes will benefit most. Those on the lowest superannuation, and who are wholly dependent on superannuation and .social security, will benefit least.”