Mr. Cotterill Makes Final Reply To Social Security Critic

Wanganui Chronicle, 20 July 1948, Page 4

Mr. Cotterill Makes Final Reply To Social Security Critic

"Like a hunted fox, he dashes from one piece of cover io another in a vain attempt to escape from the implications of his own statements,” said Mr. J. B. Cotteril., M.P. lor Wanganui, yesterday in a final reply to the criticism ot the Social Security scheme voiced by Mr. S. J. Sullivan, president ot the Wanganui Employers' Association.

"What are the facts?’ asked Mr. Cotter!.l. "Mr. Sul.lvan contended that 'an exact medical and police check-up ot a great many of the beneficiaries now resting on the social security funds would .ifihten the taxpayers' burden to the tune of £25,000,000 to £30,000,000 a year.’ He titen stated that he was all for the family benefit as one ot the humane mws of mociern times.

"For my part, I have resented his advocacy to tur n our police force into a Gestapo-like body to pry into the private jives of our citizens, and have shown that, in saying 'id.ers, suckers and indolents' are living on social security to the extent of more than £25,000,000 Mr. Sullivan was insulting all social security beneficiaries other than those in receipt of the family benefit.

"He now tries to take cover by saying that I indulge in gross misrepresentation and abuse. The public will have seen that Lie only abuse habeen that heapen on tne neaus of socia. security beneficiaries by Mr. Su livan, and, if there has bee n any misrepresentation, then the fault lies with Mr. Sullivan himself, as I have on.y dealt with his own statements.

"It is use.ess for Mr. Sullivan to try to extricate himself now by stating that he favours all the social security benefits, because he has a - ready advocated cutting this expenditure by three-fourths. He cannot have it both ways. It was not mine, but Mr. Sullivan’s utterance designating these peop.e as ‘idlers, suckers and indolents,’ that stirs up bad feeling and animosity, as weh as justified resentment.

"Mr. Sullivan now objects to continual rises in the cost of living. The tremendously increasing costs of imported commodities and raw materials which are reflected in the cost of living are causing the Government grave concern, but Mr. Sullivan obiects to the increased wages under the Labour Government. Is this a further threat? In a statement published on June 4 he resented interference and control of prices by the Price Tribunal, so we see that with one voice he expresses concern about increased living .costs, and with another wants to see those costs further increased.

"This controversy has served to unvei to the people the threat to security that do exist, and my Parliamentary duties are far too important for me to waste further time and valuable newspaper space with Mr. Sullivan,” he concluded.