A DEFINITE POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1938, Page 10

A DEFINITE POLICY

HEALTH AND PENSIONS

LEGISLATION NEXT SESSION

COMMITTEE'S WORK

"We are not asking the Committee to find a policy for us. We have a [definite policy, and we want all interests to have an opportunity of enlightening themselves and submitting their comment," stated the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) in an interview today, when referring to the task that lies ahead of the special Parliamentary Committee that has been appointed to investigate the Government's proposals for "national superannuation and health, services. . He emphasised that legislation was definitely going to be passed next session.

I Mr. Savage said that his reason for going on with the Committee was to see that the subject was not going to be side-tracked in any direction. The Government wanted finality at the earliest possible moment, and he was anxious to have an analysis made by the Government's opponents and those interested. "We are not asking the Committee to start rambling round looking for the skeleton of a superannuation scheme. If they make suggestions adding to it or taking away, it will be our duty to take notice, but we are not going to the Committee emptyhanded," said the Prime Minister.

Mr. Savage said that by following the Committee's proceedings Cabinet would be well informed of the progress made before the formal report was presented to the House of Representatives. "Of course," he remarked, "nobody can say just how long it will take to bring to finality . the superannuation and health schemes, but we want it done in time to give the Law Draftsman a fair chance of having the Bill prepared when Parliament meets. The Bill has got to be passed next session. It has got to be a substantial beginning," he concluded. "Our first objective is to help those who have no chance to help themselves, that is, the poorer section of the community. The second objective is to' have 'a system that will apply to everyone, but the poor must not be neglected."

It is the Government's intention to provide the Committee with an expert secretariat so that proceedings will be facilitated. Information regarding the operation of similar schemes in other countries will be perused, and aspects of them that have some .application to New Zealand will be prepared for the Committee's guidance by the secretariat.