BENEFITS FOR ALL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19623, 5 May 1938, Page 9

BENEFITS FOR ALL

EXTENSION URGED SOCIAL SECURITY PLAN DESIRE OF 99 PER CENT LABOUR FEDERATION VIEW (Per Pross Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Support for the Government's national health and social security superannuation scheme, was expressed in a statement presented by Mr. J. Roberts ,on behalf of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, before the Parliamentary select committee. "I would say that as the years go by this scheme will be looked upon as beneficial, not only to those who receive assistance but to the nation as a whole," the statement said, "for, in my opinion, social security and national health are the first essentials towards the real prosperity and wellbeing of the people of New Zealand."

Mr. Roberts summarised his statement as follows: "A healthy people is the best asset a nation pan acquire, and a free health service will assist materially in preventing disease in the first place, and curing many of the ills which people suffer to-day. "In a country like New Zealand, it is the responsibility of the community to provide the necessaries of life for those who are unable to provide for themselves, such as invalids, widows, orphans, or those who are laid ofT work through accident or illness. No One Would Object "The scheme makes provision that this shall be done, and I do not know of one New Zealander who would object to providing sufficient food, clothing and shelter for these people. Mentally afflicted people are entitled to our fullest sympathy and consideration. I have never met a man or woman in New Zealand who would object to paying his or her contribution towards the proper care, treatment and general well-being of these men, women and children.

"In making proper provision for these people, the Government is, I submit, only implementing the desire of 99 per cent of the people of this country. For some years State superannuation has applied to State servants and others. Why should it not now be extended to those employed in other productive, distributive and general service activities? I submit that there is no logical reason. Private enterprise undertakings, those engaged in distributive businesses, and the many men and women, who are employed in other occupations throughout the Dominion, are rendering just as valuable service to the community as State servants. There should, therefore, be no discrimination."

Laudable Purpose "The care and well-being of the sick, infirm, young and aged is the common responsibility of us all," the statement adds, "and should be borne jointly by all citizens who are in a position to bear their share of that responsibility. The Government's proposals for social security aims to achieve this laudable and, may I say, Christian purpose. That is why the wage and salaried workers and, I believe, the overwhelming majority of the people of the Dominion, support them. The family, community or State that treats the womenfolk, children and aged Well, can truly call itself progressive and civilised, and its future is assured. The social security proposals of the Government will give that good treatment to the women, children and old folk, and will therefore mark another progressive step in social legislation in New Zealand."