FEAR OF POVERTY

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 75, 29 March 1934, Page 15

FEAR OF POVERTY

PROVISION FOR FUTURE

(By TiVlegraph-^Press Association.)

•■ .-■ .",-.,.' -.-;'• ..=OAMARU, March, 28.; : Mr.M. Savage, Leader of the: Opposition; concluded his touividf Otago to-night'when-he addressed, a large gathering in the Opera House here. He was' given a welcome by the Mayor (Mr. M." ■P. Cooney). ■ Mr. Savage dealt fully with the Labour Party platform, but new aspects he touched on were the fear of poverty and the general question of superannuation. Pear of poverty in old age or invalidity was probably the greatest of all causes of, worry, said Mr. Savage. It usually ended in sickness of body or niind and even death. Under the present conditions there , was no security for anyone. The comparatively well-to-do person of today, might be a pauper tomorrow after having spent a lifetime in attempting to prepare for old age. Able-bodied • citizens below the age of, say, sixty years, should be prepared with the aid of science to accept the responsibility of providing everything that goes to make life worth living for all. This would mean superannuation sufficient to provide a high standard, of living for all citizens of sixty years of age, or those who through invalidity were unable to provide for themselves: Sixty years of age or invalidity should be the test for all citizens for superannation sufficient to place them beyond the reach of poverty. Wealth was already produced in sufficient quantities to provide for such a policy. Increased productivity should mean increasing standards of life. It was a matter : of organisation of production - axtd equitable distribution of the product. A vote of confidence in the Labour Party and in Mr. Savage as leader was carried. Mr. Savage will visit Christchureh for the Labour conference at Easter, and will then visit the West Coast.