NATIONAL INSURANCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16493, 7 March 1914, Page 11

NATIONAL INSURANCE.

A CONSERVATIVE ATTACK. SOLVENCY OF SCHEME ASSAILED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received March 6, 10.35 p.m.) LONDON, March 6. The estimates provide for £13,141,000 for old ago pensions and almost nine millions for national insurance. Oppositionists heckled Mr Lloyd George, alleging that the insurance scheme. was insolvent, that tho minimum benefits would have to be reduced and that the Chancellor’s refusal to give information with regard to State insurance finance was, due to the Government’s unpreparednoss to meet popular indignation. Mr Lloyd George in reply defended the scheme of insurance. Though, doubtless, some approved societies were badly managed, he hoped whatever Government was in power would make them bear the consequence of maladministration. Mr Bonar Law challenged the Chancellor to direct the-Chief Actuary to make a valuation, otherwise the country would draw tho conclusion that the Act was insolvent and the Government wished to conceal the insolvency until after the election. The motion to reduce the vote was negatived.