RECIPROCITY IN PENSIONS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24895, 7 June 1946, Page 8

RECIPROCITY IN PENSIONS

. AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND EXTENSION PLANNED (PA.) WELLINGTON, June 6. T. Prune Minister (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), commenting to-day on the cabled report from Australia on reciprocal pensions, said that the New Zealand Government had agreed with the Commonwealth Government as to the desirability of reciprocal arrangements to cover widows, children, unemployment, and sickness. These were in addition to the present, reciprocal agreement covering old age and invalidity which had operated since September 1, 1943. Mr Fraser said that Mr F. H. Rowe, Commofiwealth Director of Social Services, in a recent visit to New Zealand, had conferred with the New Zealand' Minister of Social Security (the Hon. W. E. Parry) and the chairman of the Social Security Commission (Mr H. Digby Smith). Mr Fraser said these latest arrangements had yet be ratified by the Governments of the two countries. When that was done, the date of commencement of the operation of the additional reciprocal benefits would be made known.

Mr Fraser added that social security reciprocity with the United Kingdom had been discussed when he was in Britain early this year, and further discussions were taking place between the Rt. Hon. W. Nash and the British Minister of National Insurance Mr Jernes Griffiths. . ’ , AUSTRALIAN DECISION _ _ , CANBERRA, June 5. The Federal Cabinet has decided to extend the Commonwealth Government’s reciprocal pensions agreement with the New Zealand Government to include widows’ pensions, child endowment and unemployment and sickness benefits.

The Prime Minister (Mr Chifley) said that the Cabinet based its decisions on the recommendations of the Minister of Social Services (Senator J. M. Fraser).