Warning Against Social Security

Northern Advocate, 29 July 1938, Page 8

Warning Against Social Security

Speaking in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Mr C. A. Wilkinson (Oppsn., Egmont) warned the Government not to undertake liabilities under its social security scheme which the country might not be able to carry. In doing so, Mr Wilkinson told the House that many States in America made promises to pay pensions which were utterly beyond their capacity and they could not meet their obligations. The Prime Minister, Mr Savage: Tell us one of them. Mr Wilkinson; I can give a dozen of them. I have the papers here. Answering Government interjections, Mr Wilkinson asked, when he made a statement, if he was to be contradicted. He could prove what he said to any member who consulted him. What was the use of Labour candidates going around New Zealand making all

sorts of foolish promises? What had happened in some American States was that 99 old people out of .100 were on the pension roll and some had wealthy sons and daughters. The Federal Government had refused to make payments as it had become a scandal. The system could be abused here, too. It was all very well for Labour to say, “See what we are going to give you in pensions,” when the country could only pay according to its capacity. He wanted to see the sick, the blind and the aged looked after. In common humanity they must always do their utmost for them, and as conditions improved payments could be extended.