SOCIAL SECURITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25213, 30 April 1943, Page 4

SOCIAL SECURITY

PRESERVATION OF BENEFITS MR HOLLAND’S PLEDGE (P.A.) TIMARU. Apl. 29. In an address before a large audience to-night, the Leader of the National Party. Mr S. G. Holland, declared that he would preserve for the workers their right of collective bargaining as trade unionists. He said that his determination to stamp out what was known as the trades hall domination of Parliament was not aimed at the trades union movement. The right of workers in crafts and trades to combine to safeguard and improve their working conditions was long established. He would honour that right and would take steps to facilitate the workers taking their cases and grievances before tne Arbitration Court. . “ There is no more important function of a Government than caring for those in need, and in the name of the National Party I make a solemn declaration that the social security scheme will be continued,” said Mr Holland. The existing benefits and pensions would be continued, and he hoped it would be possible to extend the benefits by including dental treatment. It would be the determination of the National Party to remove many of the anomalies which existed, particularly those affecting that large section who, by self-denial and thrift, had made provision for their own security in old age. Mr Holland cited the benefits which were in existence before Labour came to power and said that social security had its roots deep in the history of the country. The National Party intended not to retard progress, but to hasten it.