SOCIAL PLANS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20466, 5 April 1938, Page 8

SOCIAL PLANS

METHOD OF FINANCING RETENTION OF £1 LEVY BENEFITB TO MINERB COMMITTEE OPENS SITTINGS (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Tuesday The Government’s proposals for the establishment of a national health and superannuation service were submitted this morning to the Parliamentary committee for examination. The proposals have already been outlined by the Prime Minister, Mr Savage, but the intention in respect to miners is amplified as follows: '•That superannuation at the rate of 30s a week be paid to miners suffering from miners' phthisis with a supplementary benefit of ten shillings for the wife and ten shillings for each dependent child up to the age of 16: to supersede the present miners' pension of 25s per week.” Under the heading of finance It is proposed that the necessary funds should be provided by, (a) a social security contribution of 1s In the £ on wages and other income of all persons; (b) continuance of the present registration fee of £1 per annum for males over 20 years of age; (<c) subsidy from the Consolidated Fund. Mr Nordmeyer Chairman The Rev. a. M. Nordmeyer, M.P. for Oamaru, was elected chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on National Health and Superannuation on the motion of the Prime Minister, Mr Savage. The Hon. W. Nash, Minister of Finance, said representatives from the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association would be in Wellington ’ this week to give evidence. Representatl\es of the insurance companies would be heard later and the friendly societies had also asked to be heard. Those were the three major bodies that had approached the Government to eive evidence. Mr H. H. S. Kyle, M.P. for Riccarton. asked when the committee would receive the actuarial report. Mr Nash said an actuary was working in the proposals and his report would be available later with all the evidence regarding costs. All Information Promised Air Nordmeyer said he was sure it would meet the wishes of the committee to have that report. Mr S. G. Holland, M.P. for Christchurch North, asked what was to be the procedure regarding the reports the committee might wish to study, but particularly the actuary's report and the report he presumed the Treasury would make. Mr Savage said the committee was entitled t ohave any information available and it would be the job of the Government to provide the information sought 44 within reason, of course,” he added. “ 'Ve cannot be expected to tell what is happening in Greenland and Timbuctoo,” he said. The Government would produce evidence to show on what the proposals were founded and it was up to anyone who would oppose those proposals to show where they were wrong. At the request of the chairman. Mr A. G. Shrimpton, hon. secretary of the Dominion Friendly Societies Council, said he considered at least ten days would be required for the council to prepare its evidence. Mr Savage: I am bound to say that if everyone wants ten days’ breathing space we may as well go home. Evidence of Individuals In reply to the chairman, who asked if the evidence of individuals was to be taken, Mr Savage said his opinion was that the evidence should come from organised bodies. He moved that individuals could express evidence in writing to the committee, which would decide whether or not a witness should be heard. If a witness were allowed to appear he would have to do so at his own expense. This motion was carried. Mr Savage then moved that the committee should be supplied with evidence taken by the health committee last year. Earlier in the proceedings Mr Nash announced that the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, proposed to make this report available to the committee and then adjourn until to-morrow. The committee then adjourned. NOT ENDANGERED EXISTING SCHEMES ASSURANCES REPEATED (Special to Times) * WELLINGTON, Monday “ No one will be placed in a worse position than they are at present,” stated the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, in an interview to-day, when questioned regarding existing superannuation schemes and the effect the Government's social security scheme was likely to have on them. 44 If there is any danger to existing systems of insurance we shall have fo see that it is removed.” The Prime Minister recalled his repeated assurances that the rights of su.perannultants and contributors under present schemes would be safeguarded. Asked about his reference in his broadcast address to the creation of ” a load on the Exchequer ” in connection with the State’s contribution to the scheme, Mr Savage said that- unless they could keep on increasing production they could not keep on increasing benefits to the people. 44 It is not simply a question of printing money,' 4 tlie Prime Minister said. '* There are people who will tell you that it is only a money problem. We say it is largely a money problem, but without production lu keep pa-e with the money made available Hits bottom would soon fall out of the scheme.”