LONG SESSION

Evening Star, Issue 22577, 19 February 1937, Page 8

LONG SESSION

PARLIAMENT MAY SIT OVER CHRISTMAS NATIONAL PENSION AND HEALTH SCHEMES TO PASS [Pee United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, February 19. The biggest task which Parliament will be called, upon to face when next session opens in August will be the inauguration of the national superannuation and national health schemes of the Government. This was made clear this morning by Mr Savage in an interview. The Prime Minister said that national superannuation would _ be a scheme that would be reflected in every home in the country, and Parliament must pass the Bill, even if the House had to sit after the New Year. In addition to the national superannuation scheme the Government was concentrating on a national health scheme, which must also be passed next session. “It is my opinion that we won’t he able to finish by Christmas, and that we will have to come back again in the new year,” said Mr Savage. The Prime Minister said the taxation system was at present being reviewed by a committee of departmental officers and one or two Cabinet Ministers. They would provide a report on which action would be taken, and whatever legislation was necessary would be passed next session. . Regarding the question of making the Government houses available for persons with incomes of more than £6 a week, he said that while nothing had yet been decided upon_ he felt that the restriction should be lifted.