CHECK ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS ADVOCATED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22656, 5 June 1948, Page 6

CHECK ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS ADVOCATED

(p.A.) WANGANUI. June 4. “With a close overhaul of the Social Security Department and an exact medical and police check up a great many of the beneficiaries who are now resting uoon social security funds, the taxpayers' burden would be lightened to the tune of £25,000,000 to £30,000,000 a year.”

This statement was made by Mr. S. J Sullivan in his presidential address to the executive of the Wanganui Employers’ Association when he pointed to the need for a reduction in the taxation burden and criticised the growth of the public service. Mr. Sullivan said the large expenditure by the Government on administration and the continuous demand for further staff in the public service gave little hope of a recession in taxation. The public service had grown too big while industry was 20,000 employees short. That number less in the civil service and transferred to industry would assist the position materially. The Social Security Department had far exceeded anticipations and benefits were costing the country £40,000,000 a year. It was questionable whether they could continue, Mr. Sullivan said.