GOVERNMENT CAUCUS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23648, 4 November 1938, Page 12

GOVERNMENT CAUCUS

ONLY ONE ABSENTEE PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Nov. 3. The administration of the Social Security Act, which is to come into operation on April 1, was one of the many questions discussed at the caucus of members of the Parliamentary Labour Party held in Wellington to-day. The caucus, which met during the morning and afternoon, will be continued to-morrow. The Prime Minister (Mr Savage) presided, and the only absentee was Mr H. T. Ratana (Western Maori), who forwarded an apology for his non-attendance. The gathering was opened with a welcome by Mr Savage to members who had been returned to Parliament for the first time at the general election last month, and to the sitting members who had been reelected. He also expressed regret at the absence of some members of the last Parliament These candidates were defeated only by narrow majorities after having increased their vote. Mr Savage said that although the Government had lost seats it did not lose votes anywhere. “We have been discussing a thousand and one different things, including the administration of the Social Security Act, said Mr Savage, when the caucus adjourned this evening until to-morrow. So far the discussion has been on the lines of a general survey of things as they are in New Zealand and the Government’s proposals for the future. No decisions have yet been made by the caucus about anything.” Asked if reference had been made in the caucus to the question of appointing further parliamentary un-der-secretaries, Mr Savage said that that question had not been discussed.