NATIONAL PROVIDENT SCHEME

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 251, 2 March 1911, Page 2

NATIONAL PROVIDENT SCHEME

INAUGURATED BY THE PREMIER. \ By Telegraph.—Press Association. : Wellington, Yesterday. The national provident scheme \v,»s v formally inaugurated by the Premier' to-day in the presence of the board constituted to control the fund. Mr. Gladstone AVard, son of the Premier, \yas enrolled as the first contributor. A photograph was taken of Sir Joseph .receiving the receipt book, in order to preserve a permanent record of what is regarded as a national occasion. . f'l. > a short speech the Premier said it must be a source of satisfaction to the people of the Dominion to know New Zealand was the first country in the world to put into operation a system with such advantages as were contained in the Act passed last session. He recognised others as well as himself had done a great deal to establish the system on such a broad basis, and he hoped the public would recognise that a fine system was available for them to make provision for troubles which might be anticipated. It insured men against accident, made provision for widows and children in the event of death, and provided assistance to the extent of £6 in the case of maternity. He was of opinion that the country could well afford to pay what it was proposed to pay towards the fund. Lots of money had been spent in inducing the proper class of people to settle in New Zealand, but it would be of much greater value if, as the result of the assistance provided by the fund, the birth rate of the country was maintained at the proper average.