PENSIONS FOR ALL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19261, 27 August 1924, Page 8

PENSIONS FOR ALL.

GROWING PUBLIC DEMAND. PRIME MINISTER’S FORECAST. * (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. August S 6. When dealing with the Local Authorities Superannuation Amendment Bill in the House to-night, Mr Wilford said he would like to see every local body, including road boards, etc., in the scheme. The time was coming when there would be a general superannuation or pension scheme for everybodv. That time was not yet ripe. Mr Parry; It is ripe enough. Mr Wilford; It is coming. Those who follow us will be advocating pensions for everything and for everybody. Mr Massey agreed that we were moving steadily •■'id rapidly towards some scheme of genera' superannuation He had noticed a feeling of discontent growing on the part of those for whom no superannuation was provided. They saw other men for whom a superannuation scheme was provided by their employers. Mr Wilford: Why should they not contribute for themselves? Mr Massey: Why should thev not have an opportunity of contributing for themselves and be subsidised? Mr Wilford: State pensions? Mr Massey: The Parliament of this country will have to face it. Ido say this session but I can sec it coming. I know (hat one member of Cabinet has been giving a great deal of thought to a contributory universal scheme during the last. 18 months. Ido not think he will propose anything of the sort during the present session. Th" Prime Minister mentioned that the State’s contributions last vear to the public service, teachers and railway superannuation schemes totalled £329,000. while the employees had contributed £465.000. Since the inauguration of these funds tho State had given £2,100,000 and the employees £6.000,000. Mr Wilford: Very nearly 10s in tho Massey: The requirements for the current year'for the three total £374,000.