SOCIAL INSURANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 303, 1 June 1915, Page 4

SOCIAL INSURANCE.

VALUIJ 01'' THE FOND. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Lust Night. The Hon. R. H. Rhodes, Minister in charge of the National Provident Fund, states that the membership of the fund continues to show a substantia) increase. The number of applications for enrolment received to date has now reached 10,000. Tliis number, which is, of course, not the actual membership at the present date, nevertheless indicates very plainly the excellent results attained through the present policy of lecturing and encouraging workers to join. The amount to the credit of the fund is now approaching .tliO.OilU, while during tiie twelve months ending December 31 last maternity benefits amounting to £1044 were paid through the fund to contributors. The Minister points out that the. successful establishment of the fund and the rapidly increasing membership is, from a thrift point of view, very satisfactory indeed, particularly as the scheme is on a voluntary basis, and is still in the most, difficult stage of existence, viz., the jirst five years waiting period, at the end of which important benefits such as for Incapacity, widows, and children commence to be claimable. There can be no doubt that the fund is going to prove a great factor in solving the problem of social insurance in New Zealand.