SUPPORTED BY FEDERATION OF LABOUR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 4 May 1938, Page 8

SUPPORTED BY FEDERATION OF LABOUR

STATEMENT TO COMMITTEE WELLINGTON. This Day. Support tor the Government's national health, social security and superannuation scheme was expressed in a statement presented by Mr J. Roberts on behalf of the New Zealand Federation of Labour before the Parliamentary Select Committee. "I would say that as the years go by this scheme will be looked upon as beneficial not only to those who receive assistance, but to the nation as a whole," the statement said, "for in my opinion social security and national health are the first essentials towards the real prosperity and well-being of the people of New Zealand.” Mr Roberts summarised his statement as follows: "A healthy people is the best asset a nation can acquire, and a tree health service will assist materially in preventing disease in the first place and the curing of many of the ills which the people suffer to-day. In a country like New Zealand it is the responsibility of the community to provide the necessaries of life for those who are unable to provide for themselves, such as invalids, widows, orphans, or those who are laid off work through accident or illness. The scheme makes provision that this shall be done, and I do not know of one New Zealander who would object to providing sufficient food, clothing and shelter for these people. Mentally afflicted people are entitled to our fullest sympathy and consideration. I have never met a man or woman in New Zealand who would object to paying his or her contribution towards the proper care, treatment and general well-being of these men, women and children. In making proper provision for these people the Government is, I submit, only implementing the desire of 99 per cent, of the people of this country. For some years State superannuation has applied to State servants and others. Why should it not now be extended to those employed in other productive, distributive and general service activities? I submit that no logical reason can be advanced why it should not. The worker who is employed by private enterprise undertakings those engaged in distributive businesses, and the many men and women who are employed in other occupations throughout the Dominion are rendering just as valuable service to the community as State servants. There should, therfore, be no discrimination. “The care and well-being of the sick, infirm, young and aged is the common responsibility of us all.” the statement adds, "and should be borne jointly by all citizens who are in a position to bear their share of that responsibility. The Government’s proposals for social security aim to achieve (hi.. laudable and, may I say. Christian purpose. That why wage and* salaried workers, and I believe the overwhelming majority of the people of the Dominion, support them. A family, community, or state that, treats women folk, children, and the aged well can truly call itself progressive and civilised, and its future is assured. The social security proposals of the Government will give that good treatment ' '■••men, children, and

old folk, and will therefore mark another progressive step in social legislation : n New Zealand.”

REFERENCE TO COST j Reference to the cost of social secur- | ity was made by Mr Roberts in his ; statement. “While I do not intend to challenge the figui'es of the actuary Mr Maddex” the statement says, “the fact I remains that his conception of the cost can be regarded as purely speculative, ' for no one can foretell with any degree 1 of accuracy what is going to happen in 'five or ten years from now. and certainly not in forty years’ time. The cost after all is a relative question. Thc- ! cost of social security must be paid for ; by the production of the people of the | nation. Personally I have no doubt that if the workers are allowed access 1o ! the natural resources of New Zealand and the agencies of production generally they can produce goods and render services that will enable the State to make provision for all the benefits proposed by the scheme. I do not know whether the Government contemplates extending these benefits to all the people of New Zealand, but I consider that if economic conditions permit it would be advisable to do so., I would be in favour of a scheme that would give all the people of this country a free health service and other benefits I already enumerated. and finally superannuation at the age of sixty. The needs of to-day are, however. for the people who are not in receipt of an income which will enable them to provide for old age and infirm* i ity; but there appears to me to be no reason why this should not be extended to all contributors.” REPLIES TO QUESTIONS WELLINGTON. This Day. Replying to the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage at the conclusion of his statement, Mr Roberts said that a man who had a family could not put anything away. In many cases where there was a break in employment workers had to live on credit and \.hen working days came back again they had to pay their debts. He did not think there were many people who could make provision for sickness. unemployment or the birth of their children. In reply to a question by the Hon. W. Nash. Mr Roberts said he did not think the average man would object to making a contribution in order to obtain social security. Mr H. Atmore: "Do you think there should be a further reduction in working hours in New Zealand?” Mr Roberts: "I think we have gone far enough in that direction. In the meantime I would like to see an earlier retiring age.” REQUEST BY LOCAL BODY WELLINGTON* This Day. A request that the Committee consider carefully the question of providing legislation to enable a local authority and its employees which are placed in a position such as obtaining in the case of the Buffer County, to abolish its superannuation fund and thus allow all its employees the benefits of the State Superannuation Fund, was made by the Buffer County Council in a statement put before the Parliamentary Committee. The statement pointed out that the Buffer County’s fund was a small one and authority had been sought from time to time to abolish it. Legislation, however, would have tc be enacted to do this