Those Who Pay Most Will Receive Nothing

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 81, 6 April 1938, Page 6

Those Who Pay Most Will Receive Nothing

SIR ALFRED RANSOM’S CRITICISM Per Press Association. HASTINGS, Last Night. “I regard this as another form of class taxation, " said Sir Alfred Ransom when questioned at Dannevirke about the superannuation scheme. “The scheme was first announced as a universal superannuation scheme but it now appears universal in only one respect, which is that everyone will have to pay

“So far as the Prime Minister's statement is concerned only the unfortunate, indigent and thriftless will receive any benefits from the scheme. In the present proposal those who pay in most will receive nothing of the benefits. The Prime Minister has stated in the House on more than one occasion that his Government's objective was to raise the standard of the unfortunates, but we do object to the dragging down of the more thrifty section of the community to the same level. The latest step of the Government will largely assist his amoition."

Sir Alfred said the Prime Minister had expresssed the hope that the emergency wages and income unemployment tax would be wiped out, but he was imposing a new tax which wGuld continue forever. A new public department would be required to carry out the work demanded by the Bill. Already under the present Administration the Public Service had been increased more than SOOO.