SESSION IN REVIEW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18889, 11 December 1924, Page 11

SESSION IN REVIEW.

ADDRESS BY MR. PARRY.

COMPENSATION FOR WORKERS.

A review of the work of the last session of Parliament was given by Mr. W. ,E. Parry, M.P., in an address at St. James' Hall, last night. ?Jr. Parry dealt with the regulations gazetted to come into operation in January next with regard to the calorific value of gas. Referring to the Workers' Compensation Act, he urged the necessity .for its simplification so that a workman .would not oe compelled to consult a lawyer and there would be fewer loopholes; by which he might be deprived of his compensation, it was also desirable that compensation for similar injuries should always be the same, irrespective of earning power. When amendments to the Act were before Parliament he moved an amendment which would make accident insurance an absolute monopoly of the State. This proposal had been defeated by only four votes, and as a result many concessions had been obtained from the insurance companies and would be embodied in a bill to bo brought forward next session. If a State monopoly of accident, insurance wore obtained it should be possible, owing to' the saving in administration expenses, to pay £1000 it:. compensation for the death of a worker and to give lull wages in cases of accident.

Dealing with improvements in the Pensions Acts, Mr. Parry said that while New Zealand's prosperity had increased and her exports had multiplied several times over since 1914, the position of 'he old age pensioner, measured on the basis of purchasing power., had improved by only 9d during that time. Passing on to the rebates in land and income tax lie said /hey could not benefit the working classes or provide mure employment. Shis was proved by the rise in the eost-of-livi.ig figures for the years in which rebates were made. Tho" only way in which industry could be stimulated was by a more equitable distribution of the proceeds of production, so that the workers would be able to buy more of the products of their country." A vote of thanks and confidence in the Speaker was carried.