SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 April 1938, Page 8

SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES.

EXISTING SCHEMES TO BE SATEGUARDED PRIME MINISTER’S ASSURANCE. (By Telegraph —Press Association). WELLINGTON, Las; Night. “No one will be placed in a worse position than they are at present,” stated the Prime Minister (the Et. Hon. M. J. Savage) in in interview to-day, ‘when questioned regarding the existing superannuation schemes and the effect that the Government’s social security scheme was likely to have on them. “If there is any danger fo existing systems of insurance, ’ ’ he said, ‘‘ we have to see that they are removed.” The Prime Minister recalled his repeated assurances that the rights of superannuitants and contributors under present schemes would be safeguarded.

Asked about his reference in the broadcast address to the crcatioa of a “load on the Exchequer,” in connection with the State’s contribution to the scheme, Mr. Savage said that unless they could keep on increasing production, they could not keep on increasing benefits to the people. “It is not simply a question of printing money, ’ ’ he said. ‘ ‘ There are people who will tell you that it is only a money problem. We say that it is largely a money problem, but without production to keep pace with the money made available, the bottom would soon fall out of the scheme.” QUEENSLAND EULOGY “WILL MAKE AUSTRALIANS ENVIOUS.” (By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright) SYDNEY, April 4. The Labour Daily says: “Two events of great importance to Australians occurred during the week-end: Labour swept the poll in Queensland and the Labour Prime Minister of New Zealand announced a national insurance scheme which ' will make all Australians envious. These two great achievements by Labour Governments, coming so soon on top of the disastrous defeat of Labour under Mr. J. T. Lang in New South Wales, will give electors here much food for thought. The New Zealand insurance plan will give security to every man, woman and child in the Dominion, and is probably the greatest piece of legislation of the past twenty years. Under Mr. Savage’s plan no New Zealander need ever fear old age or sickness.”