PLAN DELAYED

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 48, 26 February 1938, Page 10

PLAN DELAYED

Pensions scheme

COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE

COMPLETE KEPORT

.WANTED

CONCESSION TO BE MADE TO

OLD PEOPLE

(Special to the "Evenino Post." FEATHERSTON, This Day. The Government does not propose to proceed with its national superannuation and health insurance proposals during the coming part of the session, according to an announcement made by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) at the Labour Party picnic at * Tauherenikau today. The project is to be referred to a special committee of Parliament for the taking of evidence before the legislation is prepared. In the meantime it is intended to liberalise the existing pensions scheme in certain directions, particularly in making the old age pension applicable to those of the statutory age who have had ten years' residence in New Zealand.

Mr. Savage said that New Zealand lagged behind in respect of health insurance, but would not be kept there much longer. Throughout the world social insurance schemes proved their value during the slump and emerged with added strength. Now" was the time for New' Zealand to step into line with other nations.

"It is. also the policy of the Government to establish a scheme of national superannuation oh a sound basis," he continued. "Before the necessary legislation is put through the House,' full -consideration will be given to all the interests concerned. We propose to refer the project to a Special Committee .of Parliament so as to give all persons interested in, or associated with, superannuation . systems an opportunity to be heard. The Committee's proceedings will be open to-the Press. '

"A lot of evidence has been collected already, and several reports have been submitted. The Government has its own ideas as to a practical plan, but in view of the multiplicity of interests involved, it has been decided to have the whole information analysed by a Parliamentary Committee.

"The exact date lor beginning the Committee's work has not yet been fixed, but it will be necessary to speed up the hearing so that its report can be dealt with to enable the Law Draftsman to prepare legislation for the last session of the present Parliament, which will open some time in June.

"No one will. suffer through this procedure. In fact, we are going to liberalise the existing pensions scheme in certain directions, particularly in making the old age pension applicable to those of the statutory age who have had 10 years' residence in New Zealand. This concession; however, will apply only to old people of pension age who are now; in New Zealand, and not to those who later may come into the country.

. *'The proposed alteration to the residential limit will bring considerably more people under the old age pensions system, and will give temporary relief to poorer people untilthe v na--ionar superannuation system has een brought into operation."