GOVERNMENT CAUCUS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23118, 18 February 1937, Page 10

GOVERNMENT CAUCUS

NATIONAL SUPERANNUATION BILL INTRODUCTION NEXT SESSION PROGRESS OF HOUSING SCHEME (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 17. “ Some amendments to the pensions law may have to be made next session, but it looks to me as if a lot of gaps in the present system will be covered by national superannuation,” said the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) to-day after the conclusion of the Labour Party caucus at Parliament House. A statement on pensions was submitted to the caucus by the Minister in charge (Mr W. E. Parry) and the subject was discussed. “There is no doubt that there are several anomalies in the existing system with cases of individual hardship, but as I have already indicated a national superannuation plan should a o far to overcome many of the difficulties. The Government’s National Superannuation Bill will be introduced next session, and passed. Yes! It will be passed, even if it is necessary to keep Parliament in session until the end of the year Mr Savage also said that the Government’s housing scheme and legislation dealing with relief lor mortgagors and tenants were discussed and details of the progress made with State housing were given by Mr J. A. Lee, Under-Secretary of Housing, and the Attorney-general (Mr G. R. Mason) outlined what was being done in respect to mortgage adjustment under the new legislation. “As to housing,” Mr Savage remarked, “the caucus expressed keen appreciation of the work that has been done and is being carried on. Members were satisfied that a good type of house was being provided, and that most economic methods had been adopted.” .... , It is gathered that within a few weeks construction will be going forward on the initial schemes lor Wellington and Auckland. Some dfd houses are to be built m the Hut. district and 212 at Orakei. It is expected in official circles that next week plans for the erection of 50 houses in Christchurch will be in hand. The scheme for Dunedin will quickly follow. After the initial stages the construction work will be accelerated in the various centres of population, and ultimately between 2000 and 3000 houses will be let by the State to workers with not more than £6 a week.