SOCIAL SECURITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24531, 13 March 1943, Page 8

SOCIAL SECURITY

PLANS IN AMERICA MOVES BY CONGRESS (Rncd. p.m.) "WASHINGTON, March 11 Congress indicated clearly to-day that it intends largely to ignore the "Beveridge plan" of the Executive and to write its own formula for the settlement of post-war economic problems, says the Associated Press. Clearance is reported to have been given to the special committee proposed l>.v Senator George, with a 50,000-dollar appropriation for staff, to launch an immediate inquiry. Senator George said it would be the aim of the committee to reduce to a minimum Federal participation in postwar rehabilitation, and to encourage individual initiative. "All people can agree on the common objectives that work, fair play and social security after the war must be (irmly established, and that wo must not return Lo the inequities and fears of the past,' 1 said President Roosevelt, when transmitting to Congress two proposals of the National Resources Planning Hoard, according to an earlier message. Aims of Board The board, ho added, had recommended post-war plans for extended social security, embracing work and relief policies. Mr. Roosevelt explained that the board envisaged guaranteed jobs when demobilisation day arrived, with rationings and price control retained during the transition period. The board's aims were: — (L) The prevention of economic insecurity through the fuller utilisation of productive resources, and comprehensive measures tor health improvoinout. (2) Provision by the Government of work for all those willing and able to work it private industry was unable to find employment. (.'s) Education beyond school age to equip young persons for the future. (4) A minimum security through social insurance. Great Changes Proposed

.Major changes in the economic system arc suggested in the American Bcveridge plan proposed by the National Resources Planning Board. The changes include larger Government participation in private industry, also a share in management by labour. Among crucially important industries in which joint Government and private ownership will he sought the report listed aluminium, magnesium and other basic metals, synthetic rubber, some chemicals, shipbuilding, aircraft, bousing, transport, communications and electric power. The report envisages a dynamic expansion of national income, reaching 100,000,000,000 to 125.000,000,000 dollars. The report has many aspects in common with the Bcveridge plan, but it goes beyond the latter in several major aspects, notably a Public Works programme for unemployed workers and specific proposals for youths under 21.

DEATH IN LONDON FORMER FIEILDING DOCTOR LONDON, March 11 The death has occurred in London of a former resident of Feilding, Dr W. F. Willis, who served with the x\ew Zealand Expeditionary Force in the last war. l:le had lately practised his profession at Fulham, London. Dr. Willis, who was the founder and a Past Master of the New Zealand Masonic Lodge in London, was greatly respected in Masonic circles. The High Commissioner for New Zealand, Mr. Jordan, was represented at the cremation by Lieutenant-Colonel Laseelles and the New Zealand Masonic Lodge by Dr. L H. Mac Lean and Messrs. M. M. Smith, J. Balfour and I!. M. Stinley. PLOT REVEALED IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY (Heed 12.46 a.m.) BELFAST. March 12 An Irish Republican Army plot to secure control of electrical sirens so as to destroy the efficiency of the civil defence system and dislocate important war work was revealed from captured I.R.A. documents. The Attorney-General, Mr. J. C. McDermott, in the Ulster House of Commons, said the documents showed that a picked body of men, armed with hand grenades and machine-guns, were selected for the work against the police and tiro-fighting services during raids. Static water tanks and electrical supply systems would be destroyed, but it was suggested that the gas supply should be untouched :-o as not to cause undue hardship to the civil population. ATTACK ON CONVOY

FIGHTING FRENCH SUCCESS (Real p.m.) LONDON. March It A successful attack was made on a small escorted enemy convoy off the coast of Brittany by light coastal forces manned by Fighting French this morning before dawn, says an Admiralty communique. At least one torpedo hit was made on a small supply ship, which was left enveloped in smoke. In spite of considerable gunfire from the enemy's escorting vessels, our forces suffered neither casualties nor damage TRAITOR CONDEMNED CAPETOWN, March 11 Robey Leibrandt, former heavyweight boxer, who represented South Africa at the Olympic Games, in Berlin in lias been found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. In giving judgment, the judge said that tho German Government would not have given Leibrandt a passage in a submarine it it had not been greatly interested in Leibrandt's project. Leibrandt probably made an arrangement with tho German Government for purposes which were also partly the purposes of the German Government, A German parachutist, captured in .North Africa, was one of the many witnesses at the trial of Leibrandt and six others for treason in December. He said that he recognised Leibrandt. who had been a lance-corporal in his division in Germany in 10ID-I1 Much of tho parachutist's evidence was given in secret The Crown alleged that Leibrand! was •• -n t from Germany to South Africa in a I -boat, with a large >uin of money and radio equipment for organising a rebellion against the South African Government.

AIR TRANSPORT COMMAND !IOMDOy, March 1! I Ih> Government's 'lncision to establish sin I! A I l '. Transport Command, wjiy announced by t.ho Secretary for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair, in the House ol Commons to-dav The ueu command nil' control tho operations; hf I'.A.K. transport squadrons at Homo and be responsible for the organisation and control of slralogic air routes, for all overseas ferrying and for reinforcement movements of ?cpiadrons to and between overseas theatres The Minister said British Overseas Airways would continue as a civil organisation and work in close collaboration with the Transport Command.