SOCIAL SECURITY
UNWISE TO ACCEPT ITS
BURDEN
A considerable part of Mr. Hamilton's address was devoted to a critical examination of the Labour Government's social security legislation and to the attitude which would be adopted (as outlined in the manifesto) by the National Party as the Government towards this legislation. No measure, he declared, had been so hacked about with alteration and major amendment as the Social Security Bill. He referred to features of the measure as
showing that it would be unwise for the people of New Zealand to accept its burden. For the benefits under the social security legislation, said Mr. Hamilton, every person was going to pay, and pay heavily. "You will not forget,"-he continued, "that a tax by any other name hurts just as much. It is on" the family budget that this proposal' increases direct taxation by 50 per cent at least —and before it is finished probably increases direct arid indirect taxation by 100 per cent.; and, without a blush, the Labour Government is roping into its taxation net people of all classes, who formerly, because of age, tender youth, or hardship, were previously exempt from wages tax; boys and girls from 16 years to 20 years, all of whom do not have a vote or any say in the matter at all. This, in itself, is a vicious example of taxation without representation." Unless, he said, there be any misunderstanding about hospital rating, the legislation would undeniably increase rates for everybody—another additional and unsought burden. He was certain he echoed the voice of the majority of the people when he said that there was very serious disquiet concerning this social security measure. The people had not forgotten the Prime Minister's promise that taxation would not be increased. So long as the Government operated with a magic formula, which supposedly gave something for nothing, perhaps some would have been prepared to give any scheme a trial, but today that illusion was rudely shattered."
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19380924.2.130.3
Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1938, Page 20
Word Count
329SOCIAL SECURITY Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 74, 24 September 1938, Page 20
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