PENSIONS FOR ALL

Evening Star, Issue 22893, 26 February 1938, Page 14

PENSIONS FOR ALL

LEGISLATION DEFERRED TO JUNE SESSION SELECT COMMITTEE TO TAKE EVIDENCE OLD ACE PENSION CONDITIONS LIBERALISED [Special to the ‘ Star.’l FEATHERSTON, February 26. A brief but important reference to the coming national superannuation and health schemes of the Government was made this afternoon by the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, in an address at Labour’s picnic. He disposed of some published forecasts by showing that they are not based on definite facts, as the scheme has to be investigated by a special select committee of the House of Representatives to take evidence and report to Parliament before the legislation is drafted. The Prime Minister devoted a considerable portion of his speech to_a survey of the Government’s achievements since taking office less than three'years ago, demonstrating that there had been a great advance in social welfare. - “As regards future social legislation,” he continued, “ much more has to be done, and it will be done as soon as possible. “New Zealand,” he went on, “lags behind in respect of hefalth insurance, but it will not be kept there much longer. Throughout the world social insurance schemes proved their value during the slump and emerged with added strength. Now is the time for New Zealand to step into line with other nations. “It is also the policy of the Government to establish a scheme of national superannuation on a sound basis. Before the necessary legislation is put through the House full consideration will be given to all the interests concerned. We propose to refer the subject to a special committee of Parliament so as to give all persons interested in, or associated with, superannuation* systems an opportunity to be heard. The committee’s proceedings will be open to the Press. A lot of evidence has been collected already, and several reports have ’ been submitted. The Government has its own ideas as to a practical plan, but in view of the multiplicity of interests involved it has been decided to have the whole information analysed by a parliamentary committee. “ The exact date for the beginning of the committee’s work has not yet been fixed, but it will be necessary to speed up the hearing so that its report can be dealt with to enable the law draftsman to prepare the legislation for the last session of the present Parliament, which will open some time in June.” The Prime Minister, declared that no one .would suffer through this “ In fact,” he added, “ we are going to liberalise the existing pensions schemes in' certain directions, particularly in making the old age pensiop applicable to those of the statutory age who have had 10 yeal-s’. residence in New Zealand. This concession, however, will apply only to old 'people of pension age who are now in New Zealand. and not to those who may' later come into the country. The proposed alteration to the residential limit will bring considerably more people' under the old age pensions system. It will give temporary relief to poorer people until the national, superannuation system has been brought into operation.”