PLAN FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

Southland Times, Issue 23693, 16 December 1938, Page 6

PLAN FOR SOCIAL SECURITY

Preparations Made For April 1 MEMBERS APPOINTED TO COMMISSION MR SAVAGE ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE OFFICERS (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 15. Another step towards completion of the administrative side of the Government’s social security scheme was announced today by the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage). The personnel of the commission to carry out the scheme under the control of the Hon. W. Nash has been appointed. Mr J. H. Boyes will be chairman, with Dr M. H. Watt, the DirectorGeneral of Health, as a member. He will retain the Director-Generalship of Health and during his absence from New Zealand Dr R. A. Shore will act on his behalf.

The principal executive officers in the commission will be M? J. S. Hunter, Secretary for Labour, and Mr H. Digby-Smith, Commissioner of Pensions. Mr Hunter will be in charge of the division dealing with unemployment and sickness benefits, and Mr Digby-Smith of the division dealing with ’ superannuation and all other monetary benefits including old age, invalids, widows, family, ar.d so on. He will also be secretary for war pensions. ■ The present Pensions Department will be absorbed in the new department in its entirety. The task of setting up an organization for the administering of the various monetary benefits under the Act is now being taken in hand with a view to having the necessary machinery ready by April 1, when the Act comes into operation. “The commissioners are faced with a formidable task,” said Mr Savage. “It is their duty to give effect to the Social Security Scheme, which is the best of its kind in the world. The Act makes provision for a range of benefits designed to enable every citizen to insure himself, his wife and children against the financial loss which follows early death, sickness, unemployment and old age. Not only are all existing pensions considerably increased and widened in scope, but for the first time there is to be universal superannuation. Apart from the superannuation services there is a whole range of national health benefits. The preparatory work for the inauguration is also being proceeded with.” Mr Savage said that Mr T. Mark is to become Public Service Commissioner.