CHALLENGE ISSUED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20831, 15 June 1939, Page 6

CHALLENGE ISSUED

SOCIAL SECURITY PLAN MR ALGIE REPLIES TO MINISTER TE AWAMUTU WOMEN SUPPORTED (Special lo Tlm«) AUCKLAND, Thursday A challenge to the Minister of Health to debate the features of the the Social Security scheme discussed by the meeting of Te Awamutu women last week was issued by Mr R. M. Algie, director of the New Zealand Freedom Association, w'hen speaking in Remuera last night. I “It appears that a very numerous 1 group of women at Te Awamutu have I succeeded in getting right under the j skin of the Minister of Health and | Education," said <Mr Algie. " They seem to have rattled him to an unusual extent. ** They have certainly achieved one conspicuous result,’’ Mr Algie continued. “ They have again demonstrated, beyond argument, that those who dare to criticise the policy of the present Government must expect, as their principal reward, a measure of personal abuse that varies little in kind, but only in intensity. “ These ladies have been told, in terms that set a very low standard lo Ministerial courtesy—especially from one who, as Minister of Education, is officially responsible for our cultural advancement—that they were inspired by political motives. Even if that be so, of what wrong have they been guilty ? Challenge to a Debate “ If these ladies will allow me the privilege, 1 would like to take up the matter where they have left it,’’ Mr Algie continued. “ 1 would like to issue a challenge to the Minister to come to Auckland and to debate with me in the Town Hall these objectionable features of the social security scheme which, I think, these ladies had in mind. 1 would ask, too, that such debate should be broadcast over the national stations. Perhaps my head and shoulders would furnish a more suitable target than those of the women of Te Awamutu for the uncalled for discourtesies of the Minister.

" our criticism of the Social Security Act is not directed against the principle of social security, nor is it directed against the political party by which that Act was introduced,* he added. “ Our objections apply solely to the method which the Government is adopting in giving effect to the principle underlying the Act, and to i certain details set out in the Act, in the regulations and in the contract offered to the members of the medical ; profession, whose stand against those details in the interests of ordinary civic ! liberty deserves the warmest public j congratulation and support.”