COMING INTO THE OPEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22974, 28 February 1938, Page 10

COMING INTO THE OPEN

Legislation covering national superannuation and health insurance schemes is now to be postponed until the final session of Parliament to enable a more thorough and more public examination of proposals in the interim. The announcement, made by the Prime Minister at Tauherenikau on Saturday, should receive general approval. The public are still completely in the dark as to the Government's proposals on matters that will closely affect everyone. Public co-operation is essential to the success of such measures and cannot be given intelligently without full knowledge. The decision to place the official data before a special Parliamentary committee and empower it to take evidence in open proceedings should help to inform public opinion. The suggestion that the Opposition will be represented on the committee is also welcome. Party "politics should not be allowed to intrude on schemes aiming at v increasing social security by social insurance. All should be prepared to pool their knowledge and experience in wotking out the details and building up a sound structure. In an interview published this morning, Mr. Savage hints at some of the difficulties and perplexities. It is regrettable that more emphasis was not thrown in these directions earlier. The bare election pledge of "superannuation to all persons at the age of 60 years" has perhaps raised hopes too high in many minds, hopes that it may not be possible to realise in full. Coming at this late stage, the broadening of the base of the existing old-age pension scheme mentioned by Mr. Savage may be taken as an intimation that popular ideas of national superannuation may require revision, The sooner the Government can lay its data and proposals before the people, the better for everyone. They have been kept in the dark too long. Understanding is the forerunner of-sympathy and cooperation.;