A BRIEF EXPLANATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23577, 13 August 1938, Page 12

A BRIEF EXPLANATION

NO DISCUSSION ON BILL RESTORATION OF SOLDIERS' PENSIONS PROVISION TO BE MADE LATER (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Aug. 12. A brief explanation of those features of the Bill .which were outlined in the report of the committee which investigated the Government's proposals was given by the Minister of Finance (Mr' W. Nash) when the Social Security Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives this afternoon. Apart from an inquiry by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr A. Hamilton) concerning any new developments, no questions were asked, and the Minister's explanation lasted for less than 10 minutes. "I do not know that I have ever heard of a Bill with such a long title before," said Mr Hamilton, after the Chairman of Committees (Mr E. J. Howard) had read the full title of the measure. " I would be obliged if the Minister in charge would give us some! idea of any alterations that have been introduced since the report of the committee was issued. Graded Extension to All Mr Nash said that one of the main features of the Bill, apart from those already announced, was that universal superannuation would be commenced in 1940 with an annual payment to-everyone over a certain age. The payment would be increased in 1941, and every year after that until the £7B now paid as old-age pension was automatically available to everyone over 65. The Minister explained that the Bill did not contain the provision mentioned in the report for the restoration of the returned soldiers' economic pension. This would come later, probably in the Finance Bill, while later provision would also be made for the restoration of the war veterans' allowance to a minimum of 25s a week as well as 15s for a wife, and if the War Pensions Board considered it necessary 30s for a veteran and 20s for his wife. "Under this Bill the old-age pension will be a thing of the past," Mr Nash said, " and will be replaced by an age benefit of 30s a week for all persons of 60 and over who qualify. Doctor and Patient "The health scheme provides for a universal general practitioner .service under which doctors, if they choose to participate, will have the right to select their patients and the people will have the right to choose then* own doctor. The doctors will, to a certain extent, have a deciding voice on the administrative side with regard to professional work:'? The Minister made it clear in reply to a question ; by Mr H. S. .S. i Kyle (Opposition, Riccarton) that persons receiving superannuation would not have to contribute to the cost of the schemes. THE PROMISED EXTENSIONS NOT INCLUDED IN BILL PRIME MINISTER'S EXPLANATION (From Ouh Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Aug. 12. The proposal made some time ago by the Prime. Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) that the allowable incomes under the Government's superannuation scheme should be extended to permit of a gross income with superannuation of £312 a year is not included in the Social Security Bill; which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day. The Prime Minister stated in an interview this evening that his proposal in that connection had been replaced by the provision to introduce universal superannuation by gradual stages, commencing in 1940. "Under the existing money system it is impossible to do everything all at once," Mr Savage said. "We propose, however, to start in 1940 by paying all persons over the age of 65, irrespective of their means, an annual allowance of £ 10, to be increased annually by £2 10s until the full amount of £7B a year is reached. Our aim is to provide a system which will remove for ever the fear of want from the minds of the people."