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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 134, 24 October 1912, Page 4

THE NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND. Some day, perhaps, the workers of the country will realise that they never had a truer friend than Sir Joseph Ward, and that whilst in power he persistently and earnestly strove to better their conditions. One thing alone entitles him to their everlasting gratitude, and that is placing on the Statute Book the National Provident scheme. Most people do not realise the manifold advantages ! this measure confers upon workers. Otherwise it would not be necessary for the present Government to send, as they are sending, lecturers around the coun-' try to bring under the notice of workers the benefits resulting from joining the scheme. Workers should require no invitation or pressing to join, for the Fund is far better in the benefits it confers and cheaper than any other form of insurance. We hear a good deal of the advantages of the German and the new British insurance schemes, but a study and comparison of them will show that the benefits fall short by a long way of those given by the New Zealand measure. The State subsidises the Fund, to the extent of 3d in every shilling paid in, as well as granting i'.p to £6 by way of maternity bonus. Because of this State aid, no private Insurance company can hbpe to offer the same benefits as the Provident Fund provides. . Briefly stated, the benefits are:—Payment of a sum not exceeding £6 for medical attendance and nursing on the birth of a contributor's child or children; an allowance after three months' incapacity of 7s Cd per week for each child of a contributor under 14 years'of age; a pension of from 10s to 40s (according to scale of contributions) on reaching the age of 60 years; an allowance of 7s 6d per week for each child until 14 years of age and 7s Cd for widow on the death of a contributor; there are no medical.examinations; a contributor leaving the Fund is entitled to a refund of all contributions, less, of course, any benefits received. The risk of loss is absent. Everything is in favor of the insured, the terms are most generous, and the worker who stands out of the schenife is blind to Ms own interests and neglects a duty lie owes to his wife and children or dependents.'