The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, October 5, 1945. UNIVERSAL FAMILY BENEFITS.

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1945, Page 4

The Grey River Argus FRIDAY, October 5, 1945. UNIVERSAL FAMILY BENEFITS.

Compared witli that of any other country, the Government of New Zealand stands out remarkably well for the scope of its postwar programme of. national rehabilitation. Critics may suggest That it extends excessively the initiative of the State, and reliesdoo little on that of the individual, but these critics themselves do not propose any alternative whereby wealth shall be better distributed, and especially the ownership of the means of producing wealth. When other countries arc in the throes of industrial strife, economic distress, and even political unrest, the outlook here is reassuring. That it is' so must largely be attributed to the courage and confidence of the Government, whofee schemes for universal family benefits, full employment, national development. adequate family income and greater social security

generally must be the envy of many another country. Whatever may he said of the utilisation of taxation as a method of equalising incomes in at least an essential degree, the most characteristic object of the latest .measures is one which surely justifies that method. This is the provision for each family of an income which will ensure decent subsistence. The family is by far the most important unit in the community. If it fare well, so will the country. Next year will in this respect witness an innovation that must focus world-wide attention. This is the universal family benefit, affording every child under the age of sixteen years ten shillings per week towards its maintenance. It is no negative provision, such as an income tax concession, but a positive payment. In addition families are to be advantaged by income tax concessions, so that the great majority of those whose incomes are less than £2,000 will be the gainers Along with the family, however, the sick, and needy and the unemployed all are to have greater benefits from the State. No doubt, the counterparr is that the country shall become more industrious, because the benefits depend on real wealth, not on token wealth. Meantime, token wealth has lost some of its value, which alone is one reason why benefits have had to be increased and extended. The scheme also looks to the policy of still insulating the Dominion in a reasonable degree from the economic disturbances outside its borders, a policy represented by import regulation. export subsidisation, and fudustrial expansion. Opposition members demur at the substitution of universal payments to support. children for income tax concessions. Yet the, change will en-sure-the benefit for the children of the poor as well as those of the rich, whereas the tax concession has meant nothing for the children of those parents whose incomes have been too small for the concession to mean anything for them. The new departure is definitely socialistic, and will be widely welcomed, the main consideration being that the country shall be able to render ..it permaii ent.