SOCIAL SECURITY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20254, 23 May 1940, Page 14

SOCIAL SECURITY

REGISTRATION FORMS POINTS TO BE OBSERVED It is said that a job well started is ■half finished, and this is particularly applicable to the filling-in of the social security registration form. If the names of the registrant—and particularly the ’ surname—are entered clearly and distinctly in block letters and the social security contribution coupon-book number is furnished in the space provided, then at least an excellent commencement will have been made and the reaction of the officer dealing with the form could be epitomised, “For this relief, much thanks.” No difficulty should be experienced in understanding any of the questions on the form if the explanatory notes are carefully studied before the replies are entered. In entering place of birth under question 2, the country should be included, as, for instance, “Wellington, New Zealand,” “London, England,” for it must not be overlooked that there are several “Londons” and at least five “Wellingtons” other than those best known to us. “Date of birth,” the second question on the form, appears to be misunderstood in a number of cases. What is required here is not merely what is loosely referred to as the “birthday” or, more properly, as the anniversary of the birthday, but actually the day, month and year of birth. Grade of Occupation Great care should be exercised in completing question nine, which asks for grade of occupation unde! six specified headings, of which one only is to he marked. If the registrant considers that he or she comes partly under one heading and partly under another, the one which is of the greater importance either on the basis of time occupied or pecuniary return derived is the one which should be indicated in the prescribed manner. Thus, a person working for wages and also owning a business in which he employs labour should mark souare (c) unless the income derived from the business is appreciably greater than the wages, in which case he should mark square (a). A married woman who is also engaged in business should mark square (a) or (b) (according to circumstances) unless the business occupies only a negligible portion of her time and her main concern is keeping house for her husband and/or family.