LORD BEVERIDGE ARRIVES

Wanganui Chronicle, 12 April 1948, Page 4

LORD BEVERIDGE ARRIVES

FOUNDER OF BRITAIN’S SOCIAL SECURITY (P.A.) Wellington, April 11 The author of the Beveridge plan, on which Britain’s Social Security legislation is based, Lord Beveridge, accompanied by Lady Beveridge, arrived today on a month’s visit to the Dominion. Guests of the Otago University and New Zealand University until April 21, they will thereafter be the guests of the Government until their departure for Australia about May 9. Lord Beveridge expects to spend about a v. tek in Wellington after his return from the South Island, and hopes to meet the Ministers concerned with working in the Dominion of subjects in which he is most interested—social security, housing and town planning. Britain and New Zealand, he laid, in an interview, lead the world in social security, though on slightly different lines. The New Zealand system

was well known to him, but he wanted to study it in operation. Britain's scheme, though the three Acts controlling it were all passed, would not be in full operation until July 1. The people had begun paying their contributions, but that went on for six months before benefits began. He had. been interested to hear the recent statement of the Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevin) on fresh proposals for the doctors to work the health provisions. They were concessions to the doctors. “The differences between the doctors and the Government are very narrow,’’ said Lord Beveridge, “and I expect that when we get home we shall find it all settled." He said New Zealand, which, though larger than Britain, had today a population only as great as that of Manchester, or Liverpool and could do with considerable immigration. “I hope, however, that you will take more of a cross-section of population sgts instead of all young people,” he said. "It is an awful pity to take young people. You want family groups." In his early days he said he was a journalist. At the time he was doing nis first bits of work on social security lie was writing leading articles foq the “Morning Post” —“a good Conservative paper, though I have always been Radical," Lord Beveridge added with a smile. Lord and Lady Beveridge stayed tonight with the United Kingdom High Commissioner (Sir Patrick Duff) and Lady Duff. They will leave for Dunedin by air at noon t-morrow.