Royal Commission’s report criticised

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32879, 30 March 1972, Page 12

Royal Commission’s report criticised

Kecommenaauons maue in the report of the Royal Commission on Social Security put forward no dynamic or progressive ideas, and would serve only to entrench the present unsatisfactory system of inflation and poverty in New Zealand, according to a statement from the New Zealand Association of Social Workers. Mr J. Fry (Timaru), national president of the association, said that in spite of limitations placed upon the commission by the almost complete lack of research into the field of poverty, it had made no specific recommendations for improving research facilities, which was imperative for both beneficiaries and taxpayers. “In making recommendations about benefit levels, the commission clearly presumed that ordinary New Zealanders are reluctant to pay to assist those less fortunate,” said Mr Fry. “We believe

that because people are disabled or old, they should not be relegated to the lowest possible standard of living but should be assisted to live with dignity.” The report, which could not be viewed as a forward step in New Zealand's social service provisions, should have included a requirement for regular review of benefit rates instead of being content with allowing the rates to be fixed at the mercy of political whim, Mr Fry said. “Ironically, under the proposed scheme for the Domestic Purposes Benefit, many widows, deserted wives, or persons eligible for emergency benefits would be less well off financially than under the present system,” he said. Social workers had been concerned for some time at the inadequate allowances for dependent children of solo parents. The report by the commission had done nothing to improve their position, said Mr Fry.