SOCIAL SECURITY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 34, 9 February 1940, Page 9

SOCIAL SECURITY

UNIVERSAL PENSION

TO COMMENCE APRIL 1

THE MEDICAL BENEFITS

(Special to the "Evening Post")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

"According to the law, universal superannuation in New Zealand will come into existence on April 1," said the Acting Minister of Social Security (the Hon. W. E. Parry) yesterday. "This -superannuation will be paid without a means test.

"The law says that every person in New Zealand of 65 years or more, who qualifies, will be entitled to the superannuation, which has been fixed at £10 for the first year," the Minister continued. "No person is entitled to twb;:Behefits under the Social Security Act,'however, so that no old age pensioner already in receipt of his full amount will'benefit under the superanuation: scheme.

"It will be necessary to make application for the benefit at the pensions office in the same way as for. other pensions," Mr. Parry added. He said it'had :not yet been deeded whether the first year's payment of £10 would be made in a lump sum, or quarterly.

"Tlipre is no: part of the Act that givo any indication of any such thinig,"* thG Minister said, .when it was brought to. his notieo that many bidage- -pensioners believed that they w'duld receive £10 extra this year, undec. the superannuation scheme..

rteplying to.! (questions at a public meeting in'the evening, Mr. Parry .said the: introduction of the medical practitio;rier.'t>sntefits under .the"social security■scheme ~. /was under negotiation. While he could say nothing definite, he felt that.as.the doctors had accepted the; "jtiaterhity benefits scheme it was an [indication! that the general benefits would be arranged at an early date. To another questioner he said that he had ho. doubt that if the people all put their.". shoulder to.; the wheel and incra'ased production it would be possible to send and maintan the Expeditionary Force .overseas and to continue with the full benefits of the social security scheme.

Standardisation of the size of all woolsacks manufactured in or imported, pto New Zealand is provided.for in regulations gazetted last evening. Save with the consent of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, wool packs shall have an interior measurement of 42 inches in length by 27 inches in breadth and 27 inches in depth.