Dear Sir,

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 7, 16 December 1947, Page 4

Dear Sir,

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The ! Editor reserves the right to abridge, amend or withhold any letter or letters. (To the Editor) COMPULSORY INSURANCE SCHEMES Sir, —Compulsion and regimentation are repulsive to democratic, freedom-loving people, and apart from all other, considerations any insurance scheme on such terms would prove unduly irksome to the people of this country. There are other means, free from compulsion and regimentation, that have been devised to provide security in unemployment, ill-health and old age. Therefore I would put forward an alternative: Whereas such schemes must result in a decrease in the employees income, and an increase in'- the cost of the employers’ goods and services; and under these circumstances, such compulsory and contributory State Insurance schemes reduce the standard of living of workers and provide nothing more than a re- . distribution of existing insufficient purchasing power which in peace time, is responsible for the majority of social and economic difficulties that these compulsory State insurance schemes seek to alleviate; and as the only sound and scientific way of solving any social or economic problem is to remove its cause. Therefore in the establishment of a sound post-war economy, these compulsory schemes should be replaced by (a) The comprehensive system of v non-contributory social dividends which will provide citizens with family allowances, invalidity and retirement pensions and basic incomes sufficient to assure them economic security; (b) adequate monetary facilities to finance the reconstruction of our national economy and the development of our available resources, thereby providing maximum opportunities for all, to apply their initiative and enterprise; (c) the distribution of sufficient purchasing power to ’enable the people to buy the available goods and services at just prices. No scheme of insurance can provide security for all, in a land that has insufficiency of real wealth in its form of food, clothing, shelter and other necessities of life. If New Zealand’s production is to be maintained or developed further, all her citizens must be granted security without sacrificing individual freedom. Yours etc., W. BRADSHAW.,