BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 7 May 1925, Page 2

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

iCSTKALIAX AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION THK GOLD STANDARD. LONDON. May 5. The House ol Commons road tor the third tunc the Dob! Standard Rill without division. In reply to questions, Mr Clmreliill said that legislative sanction would lie given to the new imperial preference proposals in the Finance Hill this year. Asked whether the Bill was drafted SI that the opponent-.- of preference could make an amendment. Mr Churchill said that he could not anticipate thi‘ publication of the text of the Bill. Lieut. Colonel I leneage (Conservative Member for Louth) suggested a mutual arrangement "itli the Dominions liv which men and "omen could receive old age pensions who at present "ere debarred because of having spent some of the qualifying period in the Dominions. Mr Churchill said he would take note of the suggestion, which would re'iuire legislation. PENSION I'ROI’OSAI S OFTLINED. LONDON. May 5. The piush'ii s; hemes outlined hv Mr C!mrehi!l. in the Budget Sneech. are dealt, with in detail in llm Widows’. Orphans’ and Old Age Contributory Tensions’ Bill, published to-day, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum and the Government actuary - report. The new scheme. euntemplatCN old age pensions at G 5 instead of it), which pass, on the attainment of the age of 70, into pensions tinder the Old Age Tensions’ Act 1 rev'll Irom the iestriefions and disqualifications at ni sent applviiig thereto. Beneficial tes are survivors of workers and persons censing to be compulsorily iii.-ttrahle on leaving employment, or who have already ceased to he insured before the {inception of th“ new scheme. I hey are given the option to continue or tositme iiisnratiee as voluntary eoiitril.utors at the full rate of contribution ordinarily payable by the employer and cmplovee jointly, thus eteiyoiie "ho was insurahly employed lor a minimuiii period of two years is enabled to lake advantage of the scheme. \ olun--1,-llies, equally with employees. must he insured lor health insurance and

pensions. Certain classes of persons who arc exempted from liability to he insured for health insurance, are now required to he insured, for widows’ orohans. or old age pensions, if the terms of their employment do not provide these benefits, Special provision is made lot widows and children of those insured, who died before the inception of the si-homo.

The provisions I i safeguard the scheme against abuse include clauses whereby wives and widows ot men marry alter sixty, are only entitled to a pension when, or if. married four years, unless in the ca-e ot widows there are children ol the inaiii.ige. Provision is made for the payment o! children's or widows’ pensions to third parties for the beneficiaries’ account, if circumstances justify. A widow’s pension may he cancelled and suspended if courts i i port any conviction. A widow is disqualified lor a pension if cnluihit in”; with :i ninn. The (miv.tmhhmil Actuary csiimaWthe capital value liability assumed by the Exchequer under the scheme, as for the compulsorily insured ofiG millions. voluntary e>ut rilmt ions 12 millions. widowed mothers, c■!iil*. I<‘ 11 Iniillion-. extended rights to "hi agi ions at 7H years 129 millions. The scliemo provides that the insured inns! Iniv coot iniioii-ly re-ided in Britain lor at least two y..;n> I'umediacily prior to the deitli. or date o! altainiug the age ol Go atu* tie last i mployinciii, owludinjr tiunpurary |,,n ' p|nyiiH*iil.. must have hern in luitain.