SECURITY TAX

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23162, 7 October 1938, Page 14

SECURITY TAX

EVERYBODY LIABLE MR. S. G. SMITH'S REVIEW CHALLENGE TO MINISTERS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday Speaking at Now Plymouth to-niglit Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., said that when he broadcast a speech on Monday night he stated that everybody over 16 years, including pensioners, would be liable under the Social Security Act to pay Is 6d in the pound, and that th§ pension, instead of being 30s weekly, would really only amount to 28s 6d. "Mr. J. A. Lee referred to my statement as a deliberate lie," said Mr. Smith. "The Prime Minister also gave the statement a denial, and Mr. Nash has challenged it; I challenge each and all to tell the public where in the Act pensioners are excluded from the tax. As they have questioned my veracity I am entitled to ask them to inform the public where in the Act any exemption is for pensioners, and also whether the words 'every person' in clause 111 do not include pensioners. I anticipate that the reply may bo that exemption may be granted later by Ordor-in-Council, but that is not the question I raised, which has been so vehemently denied."

If the Prime Minister could show a clause in the Act specifically exempting; old age pensioners from the payment of Is 6d in the pound, said Mr. Smith, he was prepared to go on the stage with Mr. Savage at Now Plymouth to-morrow night and apologise. CHEERS FOR MINISTER MR. SULLIVAN AT HASTINGS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] HASTINGS, Thursday

An enthusiastic reception was given to the Minister of Railways, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, by an audience of about 900 people, which heard him speak in the Municipal Theatre at Hastings. Mr. Sullivan was greeted by cheers and the meeting concluded with cheers for the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, Mr. Sullivan, and the Labour candidate for Hawke's Bay, Mr. E. L. Cullen, M.P. There were a number of interjections during Air. Sullivan's address, but these were of a friendly nature. The Minister dealt principally with the work of the Government and gave an outline of the benefits from tho social security scheme.