PENSIONS PROVISION

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 49, 26 August 1938, Page 6

PENSIONS PROVISION

DUTY OF YOUNG

PEOPLE

GOVERNMENT AND POLICY

The Minister of Internal Affairs Cthe Hon. W. E. Parry) said that there had been a lot of talk about the need for financial soundness, but the existing superannuation scheme had been shaky during the depression. Replying to Mr. Coates's question regarding advice by departmental officers, Mr. Parry said that the Government made full use of its officers, but when a policy was decided upon the Government must take full responsibility for it.

After expressing his pleasure at being able to participate in the debate on the Bill, the Minister outlined what the Government had done for the pensioners since it had been in office. During the three years there had been a total increase in the pensions bill of £2,613,000, or an average annual increase of £871,000, compared with an average annual increase-of £59,000 during the fifteen years of previous Administrations. He said there was one painful aspect of the debate that had been played up by the Opposition, and that had reference to the young people. The Opposition had said that it was monstrous for persons 16 years of age to make a contribution to the social security scheme. Was it the desire of the Opposition to see the young men and women repudiate their own fathers and mothers. Young people were called upon to make a contribution to the scheme for the future, and in view of the consideration they would receive, it was not out of the way to ask for that contribution. The boys and girls of today had received, as a result of the Labour Government's legislation, a 50 per cent, increase in wages, and were in a position to pay the contribution they were asked for. They were told that those who made provision for themselves should not make any contribution. Every person who did this was not exempt from a responsibility to the old and crippled people. Mr. S. G. Holland (National, Christchurch North): They were promised exemption. . Mr. Parry: They were not promised exemption. They have a responsibility to the old and crippled people. He added that the Government had already created a minimum wage for workers, and now it was going to create a minimum of security for those who were qualified for it.