“NEVER MIND THE COST"

Evening Star, Issue 18999, 22 July 1925, Page 2

“NEVER MIND THE COST"

HTHERHOH F.HDOWENT

[Fiiom Ottu Pahliamkntaey Reroutes.]

WELLINGTON, July 21. By way of demonstrating the details of a motherhood endowment scheme which he would like the State to inaugurate, Mr Savage (Auckland West) moved the first reading of a Bill to-day. lie proposed that parents of families of three and upwards should receive an endowment of 10s a week in respect of each child until that child reached the age of fifteen years. "Mr Wilford asked whether it was proposed it should apply only in necessitous cases. Mr Savage replied that payment of the endowment of 10s should commence when the income of parents did not exceed a minimum wage, plus 10s per week in respect of each child after the first two.

“ Have you formed any rough estimate of the amount involved?’' asked Mr Jsitb (Christchurch North). “ I don’t care how much is involved,” replied Mr Savage. “My plea is for humanity, not for bricks and mortar.” Provision was also made in the Bill, Mr Savage proceeded, for the proper use of endowment moneys, so that abuse of the law would not be possible; also for payments in respect of illegitimate children and a continuation of the endowment to incapacitated children. He estimated the cost of his scheme at two millions sterling.