WAGES AND PENSIONS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 176, 12 August 1937, Page 5

WAGES AND PENSIONS

Mr. Nash on Labour Party's Achievemenls NATIONAL HEALTH PLAN A brief summary oi the social and industrial legislation of New Zealand Was given by the Hon. W. Nash, Minister of Finance, in a brcadcast address to the people of Canada from Ottawa on July 10. He also referred to the proposed National Health Insurance Scheme. , "We have introduced the 40-hour week,'' said Mr Nash. "We restored all wago rates for workers and factories, on the Wafierfront and in general offices to the rate prevailing before the depression. We increased the pensions for old people. Men at the age of 65 grst 22/6 per week; at the age of 60 women get 22/6. Widows get 20/- a week for them^glves and 10/for each ohild under the age of 15 years. If persons are ilicapacitated for work they gct 20/- a week for themselves and 10/- for every other dependant. Desferted wives, those whoso husbands have run away, also get 20/- a weelc and 10 /» for every dependant cliild, and a *lot of deserted wives pray that their liushauds will never come hack, "So far as general health is concerned." continued Mr Nash, "we ate now organising health insurance to ensilie that everybody, whoever they are, shali receive whatever nursing, nitidicai or surgical attention thsy requile hecause they require it— not Lecause they can pay for it but becauso they need it, We are planning to orgAnise the health scheme, togpther with a comprehcnsive national superannuafcion scheme, dnrinw ihe pic-eiil ... ..-r-".;- . •/ .