SESSION'S TASKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22517, 7 September 1936, Page 11

SESSION'S TASKS

WEEK OF PROGEESS PENSIONS LEGISLATION NATIONAL SCHEME IN VIEW HOPES FOR NEXT YEAR [BT .TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL WELLINGTON. Sunday With the passing of all three bills

giving effect to the Government's pensions proposals an disclosed in the Budget, further substantial progress was made with the business of Parliament last week. Although the Government's policy in the direction of in* creased pension rates could hardly be contested as a matter of general principle, it was no light task to have the three measures passed by both Houses and assented to by the GovernorGeneral all in a matter of four days. To all intents and purposes it was a pensions week in the House of Representatives. The only other matters which received attention to any notable extent were the Whakatane Paper Mills, Limited, Water Supply Empowering Bill, which has proved a source of almost stormy argument, and further classes of the Estimates, which occupied the whole of Friday's sitting. Even in the consideration of the Estimates there was further talk on pensions when the vote for the Pensions Department was under discussion.

The Demands of RadioThe opening of the debate on the Pensions Amendment Bill last Tuesday night could not have done much to further the cause of Parliamentary broadcasting. In a general sense radio demands the presentation-"of an argument clearly and briefly, and, although there may be cases when the range of interest in a particular topic can justify the development of detail, legislation dealing with pensions is clearly not one of them. A discussion on a humanitarian service loses in appeal* if it consists largely of a summary oi: the various necessary but prosaic provisions which surround it in law, and this was the difficulty which the speakers on Tuesday night were unable to overcome. The technique of broadcast speaking is vastly different from that of Parliamentary debate and very few members on either side of the House have yet mastered the new medium.

" Only a Stop-gap "

Frequent refeiences were made during the debate to the Government's plans for a scheme of national health insurance and superannuation on a compulsory and contributory basis. Even the Minister of Pensions, the Hon. W. E. Parry, stated that the new pensions legislation was only a stop-gap, designed to make better provision for pensioners until such time as scheme could be introduced that would provide for payments by right without the suggestion of charity. It is gathered that in an unobtrusive fashion the Government has already made some progress in shaping its plans. The Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, is an enthusiast where national ifealth insurance and superannuation are concerned and in some respects he regards the launching of a satisfactory scheme as th<; most important aspect of his party s policy. Although difficulties have been encountered in past examinations of the question, chiefly with regard to the conduct of existing pension and superannuation schemes in connection with a future national fund, Mr. Savage is determined to have the Government's plans thoroughly shaped and to make them the major question for the consideration of Parliament next year. Contributory Scheme Likely The preliminary details of the scheme are being worked out at present by the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Eraser, and it has been suggested that a committee of experts mav be appointed to examine the countless prob--1 terns that are bound to arise. Other Ministers are also interested in the investigation, notably Mr. Parry, as Minister of Pensions, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, as Minister in charge of friendly societies and the National Provident Fund, and the Hon. W. Nash, as Minister of Finance, who in the long run will have to assume responsibility for finding the money. It seems fairly clear that the Gov*, ernment will endeavour to develop a contributory scheme, but even if it was - intended to make the scheme entirely dependent out contributions it would probably, take years before that.objective could be reached. In the initial stages certainly the cost to the State must be heavy. Interesting figures were given by Mr. Parry in the debate on the Pensions Amendment Bill regarding the cost of the new invalidity pensions. It was estimated, he said, that tinder the provisions of the bill they would be granted in about 17,000 cases and with the other pensions increases provided for the total additional cost this year would be £1,700,000 for civil pensions alone. The invalidity pensions apply only in cases of permanent incapacity. Under a scheme of national health insurance and superannuation partial and temporary incapacity would have to be covered and the increase in cost would naturally be enormous. Adjustment o{ Mortgages

It does not appear that the work of Parliament during the coming week will he unduly strenuous. Another effort will be made on Tuesday afternoon to reach finality with the Whakatane Paper Mills, Limited, Water Supply Empowering Bill, although it can now be taken ns certain that the Government intends to proceed with the appointment of a tribunal to investigate the position of wood pulp and afforestation companies generally. The bill, which brought the whole question to the forefront, is having one of the stormiest pasages of any private bill in recent years. /• The debate on the Agricultural Workers Bill will also be resumed on Tuesday. According to present indications it is not likely to be protracted, nor. to be contested by the Opposition with any great vigour. Next Friday should probably suffice to clear up the remaining votes on the Estimates. The balance of the week will be given over to a detailed consideration of the massive and highly complex Mortgagors and .Lessees Rehabilitation Bill. So far only three speakers, the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Opposition—Central Otago) and Mr. D. Barnes (Government —Waitaki), have taken part in the debate on this measure. As ample time has been allowed for a complete study of the bill there should be some interesting contributions from Opposition speakers this week.