Debate on National INSURANCE.

Patea Mail, 14 July 1882, Page 4

Debate on National INSURANCE.

After Major Atkinson had expounded his scheme of national assurance on Monday night, a curiously mixed debate took place. Mr Montgomery did not oppose the scheme from parly motives, but thought objections had not been sufficiently regarded. It would be impossible to enforce contributions from the idle, the dissolute, and the vicious. Yet these were the people who created the necessitj’ for charitable aid. In 1872 a Royal Commission in England had reported that no Government could undertake sick pay distribution and provide against malinger-, ing. The scheme would create a huge central department which would fail to effect its object. He feared the scheme would sap the principle of self-reliance in the community. He did not think it necessary to impose such a heavy poll-tax on the community in order to lighten the burdens on property. Still the proposal was one well worth discussing. Sir George Grey was afraid the Government had simply managed to dispose of u night without doing any business. He regarded the proposal as simply one to shift taxation from property on to the shoulders of the people. It was a dreary proposal introduced in a dreary speech. The only bright spot was the reference to the land fnnd. Had the lands of the colony been properly administered there would be no need for this measure. The Government touters, under such a scheme as proposed, would crush all friendly societies out of existence. It was a communistic proposal. It would sap the independence of the people, the feelings of children to their parents, the feelings which should exist between masters and servants, and in fact all the finer feelings of human nature. Really the scheme was a new phase of the oft-shown desire to sweep the savings of the people into the coffers of the Government. He appealed to honorable members to resist the motion to the utmost, and force the Government to a division. Colonel Trimble spoke generally in favour of the scheme, Mr Moss spoke most strongly against the proposal. Mr Hursthouse believed the country would warmly approve of the proposal. Mr Hutchison regarded the proposal as revolutionary. Mr Sheehan condemned the scheme as crude and unsatisfactory. He.moved to the words, “ proposal is not satisfactory ” in the motion. Mr Turnbull said the land monopoly was the sole cause of poverty in this colony. Mr Harris moved the adjournment of the debate, which was agreed to. On the question of when it should be resumed, Major Atkinson expressed regret that the question was being treated as a party one by one section of the House, although the leader of the Opposition behaved handsomely. Mr Montgomery said he spoke for the bulk of the Opposition in disclaiming all desire to treat the question as a party one. Sir George Grey objected to Mr Montgomery talking of “ the party.” Mr Montgomery said he had never alluded to Sir George Grey as belonging

to his parly. The debate was adjourned till next day