Social Security Bill

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19732, 10 September 1938, Page 20

Social Security Bill

Sir, —I am sure we- are all indebted to Mr. E. Harris for his endeavour tc make clear to the people the financial responsibilities of the taxpayers under the above bill when it becomes law. He does not appear, however, to disclose the taxpayers’ full liability in this connection. He stated, in effect, that a married man with a family, early £5 a week, will pay only Is in the £ as compared with 3s 4d to-day, and that all members of his family under 1(1 years of age who are drawing income or wages shall be exempt from taxation. Now, the 3s 4d paid by the said married man to-day by way of unemployment tax, together with the coupon tax of £1 a year, completes his liability in this respect. The is in the £ under the Security Bill, however, furnishes only half the amount, at least, needed to finance the measure; the other half will be exacted from the taxpayer by indirect taxation from various avenues. This means that the said married man will have to bear an added burden, and also that of every unit of his family, whether or not they are 'earning income, salary, or wages, under 16, and also all others dependent on him. It is quite obvious that the 1/- in the £ does not end where your correspondent would have us believe. —Yours, etc., JOHN JACKSON.

Sir, —May I reply to “Scooped”? I would merely like to compare notes, and would like to know the source of his information. I refer to the case he mentioned of the man who had procured a home, had £l4O per annum from superannuation, and £SOO in the Post Office, bringing him another £ls per annum. On this £155 he has to pay £7 10s for no benefit—“simply a poll-tax,” says “Scooped.” Well, I have heard the Minister of Finance state and repeat on three occasions that the allowable income is £2oß—£4 a week. If a man draws the £3 from the Government scheme, for himself and his wife, he is allowed to earn, or have income of £1 more, making the total £4. If, on the other hand—and this suits “Scooped’s” case—a person is in possession of £2 10s, or any amount, weekly, he can draw the difference from the Government to make up £4. That means that in addition to his £155, he would draw £53 from the Government scheme; also, of course, free medical and hospital attention. The Finance Minister is reported as follows: —“All persons in the Dominion aged 60 will, if their income is not in excess, with benefits ,of £2OB per annum, receive whatever sum is necessary by way of age benefit, to bring their total income up, with benefits, to £208.” That is conclusive enough.—Yours, etc., ‘LQQIC.”