Reciprocal Social Service Starts July 1

Chronicle (Levin), 24 June 1949, Page 2

Reciprocal Social Service Starts July 1

Press Association)

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W E/ijElJN vr T U JN , J une 213. The Minister of Soeial Security, Mr. Parry, has announced that the reciprocal social services agreement recently concluded between New Zealand ana Australia will come into force simultaneously in both countries on J,uly 1. Mr. Parry saiid this superseded an earlier agreement operative sinee 1943, under which age and invalids benefits were paid reciprocally on a restrictive basis. The new agreement extended to age, invalids, widows, family, sickness ana unemployment benefits and to the corresponding social service benefits in Australia. Broadly speaking, New Zealanders taking up permanent residence in Australia would be entitled to the appropriate social service benefits- of that country on the same basis as Australians, the residence in New Zealand being regarded as residence in Australia. Similar provisions appiy to Australians transiernng to New Zealand. The Minister said a beneficiary wiio vvent to Australia for a short perioa would not lose his right to benefit from New Zealand but might apply for payment to be made- through the Commonwealth Department of Soeial Services 011 for payment to be held until his

return to New Zealand. Persons who intended to transi'er temporarily from oue country to the other and stay in the other country rnore than six montbs, would in general be regarded as having transferred permanently. Persons m receipt of 'reciprocal benefits would not need to apply for adjustment as tlieir benefits would automatically be reviewed. However, any claimants becoming eligible under the new agreement should, as soon as convenient after July 1, get in toueh with the local representative' of the Soeial Seeurity Department. «* "It is my hope," continued the Minister, "that the agreement will be tbe forerunner of similar arrangemenrs among all members of the British -Oomnionwealth. I am looking forward to the extension of the principle of reciprocity, especially with the Mother Country, and I hope the time is not tar distant when this will be aehieved."