The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, October 6, 1949. SOCIAL JUSTICE—BRITAIN AND NEW ZEALAND

Grey River Argus, 6 October 1949, Page 4

The Grey River Argus THURSDAY, October 6, 1949. SOCIAL JUSTICE—BRITAIN AND NEW ZEALAND

PERHAPS no better epitome of the spirit animating the masses of the people in the greater part of the world to-day could be cited than that which Britain’s Foreign Minister, Nr Ernest Bevin, is quoted to-day as having just voiced in Canada. Stating that the working class have had latterly to shoulder the burden of national reconstruction, he declared that the process was being carried out upon the foundation that all members of the community shall share the hardships as wed as the benefits of bringing a fairer and juster social order. The stock cry of capitalism always has been that commutative and distributive justice is simply an impossibility —that competition is the mode of evolution, and to whomsoever belong the means of production, to them shall go the finest fruits of industry. That something more humane and consonant with Christian principles is attainable, the best existing example is probably afforded by our own country. Not only is there no abject poverty, but social security is a reality, and one which justifies the hopes of the working masses of other countries, including Britain, that thev also can attain security.

A few comparisons between social security as we to-day have it and as it was in 1935 before Labour began its historic emancipation of the people, are illuminating. They demonstrate that, let alone the idea that, security is impossible, its attainment means general betterment. The old age pensioner under the Nationalists received 17s (id weekly, against £2 10s under Labour; with wife and child £1 15s against £5 10s; and with two children £2 against £6. Moreover, in 1935 the wife had to be eligible, where the full rate is now paid whether she is or not. The universal superannuation is now £32 10s, whereas it did not exist in 1935. Widows, who now receive £2 10s weekly, received then nothing at all, unless for children, varying from £1 weekly for one,- to £2 for three ; whereas the respective rates now are: One child, £4 10s weekly; two, £5; three, £5 10s. While the family allowance under the previous Government was 2s for each child in excess of two, it is now 10s weekly for each child, regardless of income, whereas in 1935 the allowance income was limited to £3 5s weekly. Invalids now receive £2 to £2 10s weekly, compared with nothing or 17s (id in 1935; wife with'one child £5 10s now against 17s (id in 1935; with Iwo, £6 as against 17s (id: with three £6 10s as against 19s (id. Moreover the invalids in 1935 got nothing unless totally blind! For unemployment or sickness there were no benefits under the Nationalists, whereas Labour lias provided £1 10s weekly for those between 16 and 20 years; £2 10s for adult; £5 10s if with -wife and child; £6 if two children, and £6 10s weekly if three. Orphans ’who then used to obtain nothing receive now £1 5s weekly. The miner’s benefit in 1935 was £1 5s weekly against £2 10s at present; if with wife and child £5 10s compared with £2 5s in 1935; two children £6, as against £2 15s; three children £6 10s as against £3 ss; and miner’s winow £2 as against 17s (id. The annual payments under Labour for benefits towards which the Nationalists had no State contributions are:— Medical, £2,306,881; hospital £1,997,377; pharmaceutical, £l,793,159; maternity, £916,120; supplementary, £861,913. It is no wonder, in the light of these comparisons, that the population is increasing more rapidly each year, and that the Dominion bears very favourable comparison with any other country.