SOCIAL SECURITY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22506, 14 September 1938, Page 12

SOCIAL SECURITY

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DISCUSSION BILL PASSES ALL STAGES •' (pas»* ißiociiTiow tbukjkam.) WELLINGTON, September 13. Continuing the debate on the Social Security Bill in the Legislative Council to-day. the Hon. E. R. Davis said the measure would penalise the thrifty and reward the spendthrift. It would destroy initiative and self reliance, and was beyond the capacity of the country.

The Hon. W. Hayward said he opposed the bill because he believed it was financially unsound, impracticable, and extravagant to a degree that made it utterly impossible. The bill would make idleness more attractive and do stroy the morale of the people. The Hon. F. Waite said no one could object to the best possible pensions being provided; but it should be remembered that everything proposed had to be paid for. The Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes referred to the burden of taxation, and said the cost of the proposals had not been sufficiently investigated. He moved an amendment that the bill should be referred back to the Government in order to obtain an actuarial report on the basis of the commitments and a Treasury statement on the amount required, and how it was to be found. The amendment was defeated by 22 votes to 11, the division being as follows: For Allen Rhodes Carrington Snodgrass Davis Statham Hayward W?ite McLeod Ward Perry Against Fagan Goodall Archer Hunter Bloodworth Lark Briggs McCullough Brindle Martin B urns Mawhete Connelly O’Byme Cotter O’Flynn Doyle Robbins Duncan Trevethick v Dye Wilson The second reading was carried on the voices. , „ In the evening the committee stages of the bill were taken. . The Hon. W. Perry spoke against the clause providing for taxation on company profits; but the clause was carried on the voices. The committee stages were completed in half an hour, and the third reading was carried. The Council adjourned at 8.5 p.m.