SOCIAL SECURITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23527, 16 June 1938, Page 7

SOCIAL SECURITY

PROPOSED LEGISLATION DISCUSSED MR M. CONNELLY ADDRESSES WOMEN The Government’s social security proposals constituted the subject of an address to women in the Trades Hall last evening by Mr M Connelly, M.L.C. A fair attendance listened to an explanation of the proposed legislation. although it was made clear that no details could -be discussed until the Select Committee had made its report. The provisions for widows were given special emphasis and Mr Connelly expressed the opinion that the scheme was going to be “ one of the most liberal ever introduced in any country.” Mrs H. Bullin presided over the meeting, and. after the address conveyed a vote of thanks to Mr Connelly. It was not yet possible to discuss details of the scheme. Mr Connelly said, since the Select Committee set up to investigate it had not made its report, The need for a social security scheme was nothing new and he hoped and expected that when the present proposal reached the Statute Book it would* be an improvement on the Prime Minister’s outline. To-day the safeguarding of the health of the community was dependent to a degree on voluntary contributions, with the result that individuals received credit because of their contributions to hospitals and charities, II was only reasonable that such a subject should be provided for on a planned system. Value to Young People Mr Connelly quoted the fact that sickness costs in Great Britain amounted to £285,000,000 a year, while £13,500,000 a year was spent in prevention. The loss to industry alone was tremendous. The New Zealand plan was making provision not only for the insured persons, but also for their dependents, he emphasised, and he proceeded to discuss various details of the scheme. All of the items were important, but he said that the maternity benefit alone would be of considerable benefit, particularly to young married people. It was being suggested that young people would not receive any great benefit from the plan, but his opinion was that they would have very much to gain from it. There was the fact that they would have a longer life in which to benefit from sickness provisions, and also the maternity provision. If the scheme were analysed from their point of view it would be seen that they would have as much to gain as would people of 60 years of age and over. Until this Government came Into power, Mr Connelly said, widows with children received 10s a week and 10s for each child. That had been increased by 100 per cent., and now it was proposed to increase the widows’ allowance to 25s and to raise the age at which children were entitled to assistance to 16. In necessitous cases even that could be extended, and the allowable income above that was to be 30s a week. It was proposed to give a pension of 20s a week to widows after their children reached the age of 16 until they could obtain the full pension at 60. The provision for childless widows, deserted wives, and wives of mental patients were all discussed. Family Allowance “ There has, been an outcry for an increase in the population of the Dominion,” Mr Connelly went on. “1 am a firm believer in encouraging the increase of our own birth rate, and the proposal to increase the'family allowance by increasing a man’s, earnings from £4 to £5 a week and to double the payment for children, from 2s to 4s, after the third child is surely a social Justice that is one means of encouraging people to have families. I don’t suggest, and nobody would pretend, that this scheme is going to be the last word in social reform, but it must be a great step forward.” Superannuation provisions were discussed in some detail, Mr Connelly explaining that a married couple over 60 would be entitled to 30s a week each and an allowable income of 20s a week, making the total £4 a week. A number of people had erroneous ideas of this scheme, he said, and there were some who set themselves out to complicate it. They, of course, had a purpose to serve. There was a difference of opinion concerning the cost of the undertaking, but he believed the cost to the people would be 4d in the £l. ‘‘We paid Is in the '£l previously and.got nothing for it beyond the knowledge that work was being provided for people who were ffnable to find it for themselves,” he , said. “ Isn’t this a far. far better proposition? ” Mr Conpelly explained that the house in which people lived who were entitled to come under the provisions of the scheme did not enter into the computation of income for the superannuation purposes. Investments in land or property also did not enter into it provided they did not return more than £1 a week. Even if they brought in more than that, there was stir pro. vision under the scheme to bring the total income up to £4 a week £o) a married couple over 60. He drew a comparison between the present publicservice superannuation schemes with the proposed legislation to emphasise, in particular, the safeguards for widows. It was intended to protect the breadwinner, his wife and his children, and he believed that it would exercise considerable influence on the lives of the people. Medical Profession’s Attitude It was proposed to work in co-opera tion with the Friendly Societies with, it was expected, advantage to every body. There was no , desire to interfere with them in any way. Referring to opposition to the scheme from the medical profession Mr Connelly said it was remarkable that wherever similar schemes had been introduced. no matter by what Government, there had been opposition from the British Medical Association In Great Britain to-day. however the profession was co-operating with the scheme. “ 1 don’t know what the B.M.A proposes to do about it in New Zealand." he said “but if it is wl-e 1 think it will co-operate with the Government lam sure the profession as a whole will - appreciate the wisdom of the scheme." There had always been opposition to social legislation he said The introduction of the old age pension even met with violent opposition and the opposition to the present proposal was simply that which had always developed towards reform “I would advise all who are interested in this scheme to study closely the legislation that is introduced” he said. “Then it will be time to criticise I believe the measure is going to he one of the most liberal ever to be introduced in anv country." Mr Connelly answered several cme'tions. and was given a vote of thanks