PAMPHLET DEFENDED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 84, 6 October 1938, Page 20

PAMPHLET DEFENDED

SOCIAL SECURITY

EXPLANATION OF ACT

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, October 5.

"I notice that the Wellington .Chamber of Commerce has been complaining of the issue of a pamphlet by* the Government describing the provisions of the Social Security Act," said the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. "Savage) tonight. "Mr. Coates issued not one but ten pamphlets on ten different subjects, and the Chamber of Commerce said nothing about it. That shows how fair they can be.

"This legislation touched the people more than any other subject covered by a pamphlet. There had been more controversy and argument about the details and what it meant than over any other Bill.

"Last night' I listened to Mr. S. G. Smith saying that people who were to receive 30s a week would not be paid it, and would receive 28s 6d only after paying the contribution. Mr. Smith knew as well as anybody that that was not so, and that those people did not have to pay the contribution. That was an indication of the argument centring on the Social Security Act. If ever there was justification for printing a pamphlet this is one.

"No suggestion of politics is to be found anywhere in it. If an explanation of the principles contained in the benefits under the Act is likely to help us, that is not a substantial reason for not printing it. The people are entitled to know what the Act means, and that is aU that is in the pamphr let."

Questions were being asked of candidates, at many/meetings and he had received letters from all over the country asking questions and warning him about the things that are being said about the Act. .

"So again I say there is every justification for publication. , I never complained about the publication of the booklets by Mr. Coates or by any other Minister. Where legislation is farreaching I consider it is a good thing. We have a booklet and it is still obtainable from the Pensionfe Department, dealing with pensions, and available for the benefit of people who are interested." .