HELP FROM N.Z.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 52, 3 March 1943, Page 3

HELP FROM N.Z.

AUSTRALIAN SOCIAL SECURITY

Conferences on the proposed social security scheme in Australia have taken place in the last fortnight in Canberra. Sydney, and Melbourne between Federal and State Governments and Mr. H. Digby-Smith, chairman of the New Zealand social security commission, and Mr. A. O. yon Keisenberg, secretary of the Health Department, who are in Australia to assist in the working out of the national welfare scheme there.

The Minister of Social Security (Mr. Parry) stated last night that a copy of an interesting statement on the National Welfare Scheme which the Commonwealth Treasurer, Mr. J. B. Chifley. recently presented to Parliament, had been forwarded by Mr. Digby-Smith with his reports. Emphasising the needs of the scheme, the statement pointed out that the Commonwealth Government, in common with the other Governments of the United Nations had subscribed to certain principles of national policies expressed in the Atlantic Charter, and on which were based hopes for the better future of the world. One of the aims was the securing for all of improved labour standards, economic advancement, and social security. The Commonwealth Government was convinced that it would be a great mistake to ?iostpone the pursuit of those objecives till after the war. They involved a wide range of activities and much investigation and planning was required.

"The Commonwealth's scheme is comprehensive and beneficial and will be viewed, no doubt, with absorbing interest by the people of Australia t " Mr. Parry stated. "A thorough investigation by a joint Parliamentary Committee into all phases of the scheme and the taking of evidence on it should ensure successful administration when it is in full operation. A somewhat similar procedure secured success for the New Zealand Social Security scheme, which administratively has worked so well."