PLAN SUPPORTED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23029, 5 May 1938, Page 17

PLAN SUPPORTED

HEALTH AND PENSIONS FEDERATION OF LABOUR BENEFITS TO COTJNTBY MB. J. HOBEBTS' BEYIEW [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Unqualified support for the Government's national health and superannuation schemes was expressed in a statement presented by Mr. J. Roberts today on behalf of the New Zealand Federation of Labour before the Special Parliamentary Committee, which is inquiring into the schemes. "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 toward real prosperity and the well-being of the people of New Zealand." A Nation's Best Asset Mr. Roberts summarised his statement as follows:—"Healthy people are the best asset a nation can acquire, and a free health service will assist materially in preventing disease in the first place, and curing many of the ills which 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 iuvalids, widows, orphans, or those who had laid off work through accident or illness. The scheme makes provision that this shall be done, and I do not know of one in New Zealand 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 toward 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.

Discrimination Opposed "For some years State superannuation has applied to State servants and others, and 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 a service to the community as State servants. There should, .therefore, be no' discrimi= nation." "The care and well-being of the sick,. | infirm, young and the aged is the common responsibility of us all," the statement added, "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 this laudable and, may I say, Christian purpose. That is why the wage and salaried workers, and I believe an over* whelming majority of the people of the Dominion, support them.

Cost oI Social Security "A family, community or Stat© that treats its -womenfolk,, children and the aged well can truly call itself progressive and civilised, and its future id assured. The social security proposals of the Government will give that good treatment to women, children and the old folk, and will therefore mark another progressive step in social legislation in New Zealand." Reference to the cost of social security was made by Mr. Roberts. "While I do not intend to challenge the figures of the British • Government actuary, Mr. G. H. Maddes," he said, "the fact remains that his conception of cost can be regarded as purely speculative, for po one can foretell with any degree of accuracy what is going to happen in five or ten years from now, and certainly not in 40 years., _ "Cost, after all, is a relative question. The cost of social security must be paid for by the production of the people. Personally, I have no doubt that if the workers are allowed access to the natural resources of New Zealand and the agencies of production generally, they can produce the goods and render the services that will enable the State to make provision for all the benefits proposed by the scheme* Universal Scheme Favoured "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 iji favour of a scheme that would give all the people of this country a free health service and the other benefits I have already enumerated, and finally superannuation at the age of 60. "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 infirmity. But there appears to me to be no reason why this should not be extended to all contributors." Replies to Ministers In reply to the Prime Minister, Mr*, 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 when working days came back again they had to pay their debts. Ho 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 Minister of Finance, 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 (Independent—Nelson ): 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.

THE FINAL EVIDENCE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE PUBLIC SITTINGS CONCLUDE [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] "WELLINGTON", Wednesday With the taking of to-day's evidence, the public sittings of the Special Parliamentary Committee which is investigating national health and superannuation proposals have concluded. The committee will now prepare its report, which will later be placed before Fat*