TO BE UNIVERSAL

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1945, Page 5

TO BE UNIVERSAL

N.Z. FAMILY BENEFITS SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS A General Increase SUBSTANTIAL ALL ROUND INCREASES ’ P.A WELLINGTON, October 4. Some light was shed. on a f legislative programme m the House of Representatives when one majoi and three minor bills were mtioduc ed this evening. The terest centered in the Socm! SevUii.y Amendment Bill, which the nearly all of the benefits undei Act, and introduces universal allowances from April 1 next, versal family benefits will be paid from the first of April next las was announced by the Hon. W. Pa Hon W. Nash said that this universal benefit, together with alteiations to be made in income tax exemptions, would improve the posi tion of all the people with incomes below two thousand pounds a year. The Bill also provides for widespread increases in the Social Secuijty benefits. Mr Parry said that the increases foreshadowed in the budget .have been included in the niff, lhe main changes concerned increases m the basic rates benent from t^ over ? her 1 and the Bill will give effect to the Government’s plan to implement the minimum family income. Mr. Parry said that the age benefits ioi a married couple both of wnom ate eligible have bee nincreased from tne present £3 5s per week to lour pounds weekly, which, with b® lowable income of one pound weeMy, would provide a total income of live pounds per week. _ Where the wife is. undei the age benefit it has been increased from the present £2 3s per week to ioui pounds per week, this again an allowable income of one pound weekly, providing the same maximum of five pounds weekly lor tne couple. This provision, he said, was an extension of the budget proposal where it was contemplated that one pound weekly would be provided loi an under age wife. For single age beneficial les, the rate has been increased from 32s t>d per week to two pounds weekly which, with an allowable income oi one pound, would bring the income to three pounds weekly. The benefit for widows with dependent children has been increased from the present thirty shillings to two pounds per week with an allowable income of thirty shillings; and, in addition to this benefit, ten shilings will be available under the family benefit, procedure for each child of a widow. The Commission might, in its discretion, when circumstances warranted, supplement the benefit for a widowed mother with children by a further one pound weekly. In the case of widows who have had children, but now have none Under sixteen years, and who, otherwise qualify, the benefit is inci eased from twenty-five shillings to two pounds weekly, with an allowable income of one pound, bringing the total income and benefit to three pounds weekly. The rate for widows without children who otherwise qualify has been increased from twenty-five to thirty shillings weekly, with an allowable income of thirty shillings, bringing a total income and benefit, to three pounds weekly. The invalids beneiits have xbeen improved by providing for a benefit for a married male invalid of tour pounds weekly for himself and wife, with an allowable income of one pound, or 3. total of live pounds weekly. . ~ . „ When the wife is the invalid, the benefit will be increased from its present 32s 6d weekly to two pounds, with an allowable income of three pounds weekly, or a total income and benefit amounting to live pounds weekly. The rate for single adult invalids has been increased from 32s 6d to two pounds weekly, with an allowable income of one pound, making a lotal of three pounds weekly. Invalids under twenty years will have their beneiits increased from 22s 6d to thirty shillings weekly, with an allowable income of one pound, making the total income and benefit £2 10s weekly. The Maori war benefit increased from 32s 6d to two pounds weekly, where there is only one beneficiary. Miners’ benefits, for miner and wife, have been increased from the present £2 3s to four pounds weekly. The benefit for the single miner being raised from 32s 6d to two pounds weekly. Minters’ widows’ benefits have been increased from the present one pound to £1 10s weekly with the rigr.t to receive, if she so desires, the ordinary, widow’s benefit, if such' procedure is to her advantage. Sickness benefits have been raised from the present £1 15s for a married couple to four pounds, with an allowable income of one pound, or a limit income and benefit, of live pounds weekly. The sickness benefit for single persons has been raised from one pound to two pounds, again with the same exemption of one pound or a maximum income and benefit of tnree pounds weekly. Persons under twenty years will have their sickness benefit increased from 10s 6d -to one pound, with an allowable pound income, or a total income and benefit of two pounds weekly. In all cases of sickness benefits, the total income may be increased by a further pound where the beneficiary is in receipt of a grant from a friendly or like society. Unemployment beneiits are raised from 35s weekly for married men to four pounds, with an allowable income from other than salary or wages of one pound, making a total of five pounds weekly. Single persons’ unemployment benefit is increased from one pound to two pounds, with an allowable income, other than salary or wages, of a further pound, making a total of income and benefit of three pounds weekly. Unemployed persons under twenty years will draw one pound instead of 10s 6d, with income not from wages or salary up to one pound weekly, making the total two pounds weekly. Family benefits have been amended by increasing ,the allowable earnings from the present rate of £5 10s to £6 10s weekly. This amendment is operative from November 1 until March 31 next. This means that, during this period, married persons receiving £6 10s weekly or less will qualify for a family benefit of ten shillings for each child under sixteen years. From April, 1946, provision is being made to ensure the payment of ten shillings weekly for ' each child under sixteen years, irespective of income. Universal superannuation has been amended by providing for an extension bebefit from ths present limit of £B4 10s to £lO4 yearly. Except for unemployment benefits where improvements have been affected, the property qualifications

for social security beneiits in general have not been altered. Mr: Nash said that, as a complement to the introduction of the universal family benefit from April J, 1946, the Land and Income Tax Act would be amended ■ providing tnat exemptions for children under sixteen would cease to operate from that date.

Mr. R. M. Algie l (Nat., Kemuwera): “The Lord Hath given, and the Lord hath taken away-” Mr. Nash: “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Laughter). Mr. Nash said that at the same time, the exemption from taxable income in respect of a wife would be' increased from fifty pounds to one hundred pounds. Under 'this new provision, anyone with an income under two thousand pounds yearly would be better off. ' The exemption for a wife would be increased, and, while the exemption for children under sixteen would disappear, there would be a benefit ot twenty-six pounds payable in respect of such children. The Bill was formerly read the first time.