The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, June 16th, 1938. AUSTRALIA AND SOCIAL SECURITY.

Grey River Argus, 16 June 1938, Page 8

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, June 16th, 1938. AUSTRALIA AND SOCIAL SECURITY.

Whatever critics have said of the Social Security Scheme of the New Zealand Government, it has created a better impression than the National Insurance. Scheme of I the Commonwealth Government | As remarked yesterday by Mr. Savage, there is a fifth vf the Dominion’s population outside of the Social Security Scheme as it stands, but it is hoped .to make its application general in the long run. The cry in New Zealand has been that too much will require to be found for the plan from the general revenue, whereas the Australian scheme is generally regarded in quite another light. It is reckoned to be merely a means of raking more revenue into the Consolidated Fund, meaning, of course, that the benefits offered are not in proport ion to the taxation proposed. To those for whom it is not proposed in this country meantime to provide superannuation, the Prime Minister says “Good luck,” meaning that they are not in need of subsistence, whereas the great majority upon reaching the super annuation age are in need of suck support. It has been demonstrated by actuarial computation that, at the age in question four-fifths of the people require the sion proposed, and no amount o> talk about the influence of want as a spur Io labour will alter this fact. The Commonwealth Gov eminent is admittedly in a differ ent position to our own. It has to take into account the existence of the State Governments, which, in turn, are much concerned lest the Federal scheme might restrict their resources in taxation. A good idea of the public estimate of the Australian scheme is indicated by the fact that friendly societies regard it as less economical for their members than the provision they make for the members themselves. In New Zealand, on the other hand, provision incomparably more adequate is offered by the. Government’s Social Security and Health Scheme than by the benefits obtainable from Friendly Societies, and. the members generally appreciate this fact. ( There, doubtless, will require to be further negotiations with the medical profession, but a boycott such as Aus. (ralian doctors have instituted towards national insurance is not here to be expected. The Commonwealth Government has accepted the challenge, but is instituting a special investigation, of the capitation aspect. If this is expeditiously carried out, it may have a bearing on the New Zealand. scheme, whereas if it is delayed, Ihc Australian Bill may be shelved for the present. It has recently been indicated that since first outlined the New Zealand scheme has been somewhat extended in its scope, and in the form in which it is submitted to Parliament it is bound to focus very general and lively interest. Those who would point to the past, and say New Zealand has been so far developed without a social security scheme, are prom? to ignore the teaching of experience during they past couple of generations. Every country where industrialism has been expanding has felt the necessity to increase the State provision for the aged, lhe old age pension in New Zealand itself dating back more than forty years. The causes that gave it rise have since intensified, chief among them being the loss of property by an increasing proportion of the community, and the increase of dependency upon wages from week to week or from month to month. Health insurance also has been rendered increasingly necessary by the gt. nvth of industrialism, and schemes are multiplying oversea for the improvement of the physique of the people. The only serious opposition to the proposals is .based on finance, and the same objections were offered to the old age pension and every other provision against the exigencies of age, poverty and disease. The subject is going to figure prominently from now till

the general election, at which it will constitute the principal issue. There is no doubt that the majority of the people will welcome it.