LABOUR CAUCUS

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 February 1937, Page 3

LABOUR CAUCUS

PERSONS AND HOUSES. V [ PEB PBESB ASSOCIATION.] .' I WELLINGTON, February 17.. - “Some amendments to the pensions law may have to be made next session, hilt it seems likely.” to’ me' that fa lot of gaps 'in the .present/ system, will be covered by national superannuation,” said the Prime Minister (Mr. Savage) tp-day, after the conclusion of the Government party . caucus at Parliament House. “A’ statement on pensions was submitted to caucus by the Minister, in charge (Hom W. E. Parry), and the subject was discussed. There is no doubt there are several anomalies in the existing system with cases’ of individual ' hardship, but as I have already indicated the national: superannuation plan should go far to overcome many of the difficulties. The Government’s National Superannuation ‘Bill will, be introduced next session and passed.; ,yeq; it will be passed even if it be necessary to keep Parliament in session until the end of the year.” Mr’ Savage also said that the Government’s housing scheme and legislation dealing with relief for mortgagors arid ...tenants were discussed, and details of the progress made with State housing were given by Mr. J. A. Lee, Parliamentary Under-Secretary. The Attorney-General (Hon. 11. G.’ R. Mason) outlined what was being done for mortgage adjustment under the new legislation. “As to housing,” Mr. Savage remarked, “caucus expressed keen appreciation of the work that had been done and was being carried on. Members were satisfied that a good type of house was being provided and that the most economic methods had been adopted.” ,■ - It is gathered that within a few weeks construction will be going forward on the initial schemes for Wellington and Auckland. About 375 houses are to be built in the Hutt district and 212 at Orakei. It is expected in official circles that next week plans for the erection of 50 houses I in Christchurch will be in hand. The • scheme for Dunedin will soon follow. After the initial stages, construction will be accelerated in the various centres of population, and ultimately between 2000 and 3000 houses will he! let by the State to workers with a I wage of not more than £6 a. week. •