America’s Beveridge Plan WORK, FAIR PAY AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 60, 12 March 1943, Page 5

America’s Beveridge Plan WORK, FAIR PAY AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Received Thursday, 8.20 p.m. WASHINGTON, Mar. 10. “All can agree on the common objectives of work, fair pay and social security after war must be firmly established. We must not return to the inequities and fears of the past,” said President Roosevelt when transmitting to Congress two proposals of the National Resources Planning Board recommending post-war plans and extended social security embracing work and relief policies. President Roosevelt explained that the Resources Board envisaged guaranteed jobs when demobilisation day arrived with rationings and price control retained during the transition period. The board aimed firstly at the prevention of economic insecurity through fuller utilisation of the productive resources and comprehensive measures of health improvement; secondly, Governmental provision of work for all willing and able to worl: if private industry was unable to find employment; thirdly, education beyond school age to equip young persons for the future; fourthly, minimum security through social insurance. Major changes in the economic system are suggested in the American Beveridge plan proposed hy the National Resources Planning Board. The changes include larger Government participation in private industry, also a share in the management by labour among cnicially important industries wherein joint Government and private ownership will be sought. The report listed aluminium, magnesium and other basic metals, synthetic rubber, some chemicals, shipbuilding, aircraft, housing, transport, communications and electric power. The report envisages a dynamic expansion of the national income reaching a hundred to one hundred and twenty-five thousand million dollars. The report has many aspects in common with the Beveridge plan but goes beyond the latter in several major aspects, notably a public works programme for unemployed workers and specific proposals for youths under 21.