SOCIAL SECURITY COSTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 240, 11 October 1938, Page 6

SOCIAL SECURITY COSTS

Sir,—lf "Now Then" thinks that one shilling and sixpence in the pound will cover the cost of the social security, he is very optimistic; indirect taxation wiil go up as well. If it. costs £1 a day to keep a patient in the hospital, the Government is to find six shillings and the ratepayers fourteen shillings. Rates and rents will go up. The business people will pass this on to the public and the cost of living will go still higher. The cos', of administering the scheme will be something enormous. How many people will benefit under it? No! I am not hard and unfeeling. I am thinking of that legion of forgotten women with small fixed incomes who, owing to the rise in the cost of living, are finding it hard to make both ends meet. They are not old enough to get any benefit and will have to pay : nothei £2 10s and 5s a year. Of their income, £5O was exempt before. How many of them will need the medical services? One gentleman has said: "The squeals of the taxpayer is music in his ears.” Mr. Savage has said, "We are going all the way." On April 1, every man and woman, and girl anu boy over sixteen, will be registered and have a number. > ut the intelligence of the average New Zealander is above that of the Russian peasant and he will not want “God’s Own Country” turned into a little Russia as it will be if the Socialistic Gover iment goes in again.—l am. etc., “LONE WOLF.”