NATIONAL THRIFT.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 752, 1 August 1922, Page 5

NATIONAL THRIFT.

A COMI’T'LSOJ{Y SCHK.VE. FUND TO PROVIDE OLD-AGE PENSIONS. A compulsory scheme of national thrift, 'which aimed at establishing a fund "fromi iw'hiicli old-age .pensions might be paid, was discussed by the Farmers’ Union Dominion Conference at Wellington, on Wednesday. The president (Mr W. J. Poison) wa s in the chair. Mr G. W. Leadley (North Canterbury) moved: —“That the large expenditure entailed upon the country under the various systems of pensions (other than military) and which must increase as poulation increases, imperatively demands serious consideration. We, therefore, suggest to the Government, the advisability o? adopting the system of compulsory national insurance, as devised and recommended many years ago by the late Sir Harry Atkinson, am. of which Mr Massey, when in Opposition, frequently expressed approval.” The mover said the remit arose cut of the great lack of thrift among the community, and aimed at widening the scope of the National Provident scheme, by making it compulsory There were only 15.000 who took ad vantage of it, compared with IT.id)” persons who received old-age pensions. The Government Should amend the National Provident Act. and make it. compulsory for all to contribute. Mr D. Bates (North Canterbury), in seconding the remit, said he believed., as a New Zealander, in the future of the British race, whose chief characteristic, its independence, was being sapped by the whole system of modern politics. Mr T. R. Barrel’ (Wairarapa) moved the deletion cl’ the words after the word, “ consideration” so that no particular system should be stated and that the whole matter be referred to the Government. If it were true, as had been stated by the Government, that appropriations already exceeded the savings effected by the Prime Minister, the financial position of the country was still serious. “ Yes pitathig tlie Tail." Mr R. Dunn (Taranaki) : How do you intend to collect the contributions ? The mover : They are to lie paid in to the Government by the individual. Mr H. W. Mulholland (North Canterbury') said the proposal was tantamount to asking people to provide thfeir own old-age pension. The cost of pensions was becoming consider able, and, if the scheme were not koine by the beneficiaries it might break down. It would appear.that the great majority of the contributors to the present fund were workers. He hoped the amendment would not be adopted, as it would “ decapitate the tail” of the remit. (Laughter). Mr C. K. Wilson (Auckland) paid it was not good policy to interfere with the present fine system. The old-age pension should always come from the National Exchequer.

Mr J. Garton (Auckland) spoke of the difficulty of administering the present Act among the Maoris. It should be overhauled. Mr .Massey's Advocacy. Mr G. P. Johnston (Southland) : “ Our principle is' economy, and we should have national thrift.” He supported the remit, without the latter words alluding to Mr Massey’s advocacy. Air R. D. Duxfield ( Auckland) said the proposal was very much favoured by the present Government, while in Opposition. The present pension scheme cost £750.000, and was! a very Dig burden. Future generations should contribute to a fund, from which they should eventually draw a pension. Mr J. Bitcliener (South Canterbury) said the remit was very opportune, hut he did not support the latter part of it. Wastrel and Lounger. Captain iColbeck (vice-president) said they should leave well alone. It would cost half the fund to administer and collect it. The wastrel and the lounger would never pay it. Mr Leadley, in reply, said the Latter part of .the proposal had nothing to do with the principle affirmed, but was simply a reminder of an historical event -the Prime Minister’s advocacy of the national thrift in the past. The amendment was lost on the voiced and the remit adopted.