SOCIAL INSURANCE

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 143, 17 June 1916, Page 9

SOCIAL INSURANCE

GOVERNMENT AND FRIENDLY

SOCIETIES.

PRESERVATION OF INFANT LIFE,

"With a view of further promoting social insurance and the well-being of the State, I will ask the House to set aside a sum of £22,500 to provide for the establishment of a scheme that will enable the Government, through the National Provident Fund, to enlist the co-operation of the friendly societies, said the Minister of Finance" (Sir Joseph Ward). This sum will provide members with a maternity allowance of £4 at each birth..- The vote also will include a subsidy which will enable members of friendly societies to obtain an annuity at the age of sixty at half the rates jiow charged to the National Provident Fund contributors. In this connection I wish. to. point out. that by subsidising friendly societies in this manner the policy established under the National Provident Fund will be further promoted, and the principles underlying that Fund, by which assistance in their family responsibilities is granted to contributors, will be maintained. This feature of the proposals also advances the State's policy in regard to social reform, and will be of special value in contributing towards the preservation of infant life at birth— a matter of vital importance to the nation at the present time, having regard to the present tremendous war wastage."