PARLIAMENTARY.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4220, 11 July 1882, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF EEPEESENTATIVES. Wellington, Last night. i compulsory national insurance. — major Atkinson's scheme. In the House of Representatives last eight, Major Atkinson moved his resolutions on the subject of National Insurance, saying it was the most important subject he had ever introduced to the notice of the House, and he felt the responsibility of introducing it to be very great. He would try to show the practicability of the scheme, which, however, was not original, but due to an English clergyman. It was an antidote for poverty, and he was glad to be able to proclaim it to i the colony. He had altered the Eev. Mr Blackley's scheme in certain respects to suit the circumstances of the colony. He proposed that everyone should pay the insurance and draw the benefit, instead of only the poor drawing, This, of course, [ rendered it necessary for larger contributions from all. He would speak at length —first, on the necessity of the proposal; then, on its practicability ; and then, in reply to the objections which may be urged j against it. The introduction of the principle of contribution to charitable aid in proportion to the population was steadily increasing in this colony, and would increase, and ultimately compel that great < cure, a poor law, unless some steps were taken to arrest its progress. How could this be done without demoralising the people ? The only effectual remedy against pauperism must be co-operative thrift or insurance, and, to render this effectual, it must be national and compulsory. He reviewed at length the causes of pauperism. He denied that the Friendly Societies could ever meet the case. He then explained that he was not wedded to the figures of his motion, although they had. been carefully considered. His proposal was that every young man and .young woman in the colony should, between the ages of 16 and 23, or 18 and 23, contribute a sum of £41 17s Id. This, if it commenced at 16, would be 2s 3d per week, or, if 18, then 3s 3d per week. If paid down at 16 years, a sum of £38 7s would suffice. This would provide the sick and old age benefits proposed,— bufc to provide further for orphans, an additional sum of 2s a week for five years would be required. He be. lieved all young people in this colony could, between the ages named, easily make this required contribution. If the scheme was adopted it would only apply to persons under 23 years of age. He

would, to provide for the existing population, compel all persons above that age to provide by payments not above £6 per annum for a certain number of years, but would not include females, and would leave out males over 40, or those who were already provided for by means of Friendly Societies. Persons over 65 years would be provided for out of the consolidated revenue. Immigrants under 23 would !:ave to contribute, and those over that be treated as existing persons over that age. He thought Crown lands rents might be* brought into the aid of providing insurance of the kind suggested, but this was really apart from his scheme. As to machinery, the colony would have to be divided into districts, and the local bodies charged with the registration of contributors. Employers would have to be authorised to stop the premiums out of wages. The scheme generally would have to be administered by a board, presided over by a Minister of the Crown, while looking after the sick should be entrusted to the local bodies, together with a system of district visitors. Travelling inspectors would also be required. He proceeded to answer a number of objections which he had heard raised, and deprecated the idea that his scheme was in opposition to,- or would not, when understood, receive the heartiest assistance from the Friendly Societies. It did not compete with them in any way. The State would have to pay the contributions for luuatics, I invalids, etc., who had no friends able to -pay.—He would make criminals pay, and uot release—tlaein^ till they~ did.—After. j speaking au hour and a^half lie assured ; hon. members that he had not brought forward any proposition to which he had not given great thought, or which he was not quite couvioced was quite practicable. He knew the difficulties of inducing such an assembly to take a new departure of tliis kind, but now was the time to do it if they wished to avoid the poverty and distress of older communities. He hoped members would face the question once and forever.

Mr Montgomery bore testimony to the evident earnestness of Major Atkinson, and the attention be had evidently given to a most important subject. He deserved the thanks of the House for introducing the subject, and for his speech. He himielf had also read and thought on the subjcet, and it was not in any feeliDg of parly opposition lhat he felt bound to put forward the objections which existed. These had not been sufficiently regarded by Major Atkinson. These were that many youths bad to support a mother ay.d brothers and sisters.

Major Atkinson: They are provided for iv the scheme.

Mr Montgomery said he had not so understood it. These youths could not afford to contribute, and it would also be impossible for the authorities to enforce contributions from the idle, the dissolute, and the vicious, yet these were the people who created the necessity for charitable aid. In 1872 a .Royal Commission inEng» land had reported that no Government could undertake sick pay distribution and provide against malingering. The ! cheme 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 burden on property, still the proposal was one well worth discussing. Sir George Grey was afraid the Government had simply managed to dispose of a night without doing any business. He regarded the proposal as simply one to shift taxation from properly on to the shoulders of the people. It was a dreary proposal infroduccd in a dreary speech; the O'lly brigln spot was the reference to the land fuud. Had the lauds of the colony been properly administered (here would be need for tins scheme. The Government toulers under such a scheme as that 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 feelings of human nature. Really, the scheme was only a new phase of the oft»shown desire to sweep the savings of the people into the coffers of the Government. He appealed to lion, members to resist the motion to the utmost, and force the Government to a division. . This day.

Col. Trimble spoke generally in favor of the principle of the scheme, but thought the contributions too high. He replied to several of Sir George Grey's objections. Mr ij oss spoke most strongly against the proposal as one wrong and vicious in principle. Mr Hursthouse believed the country would warmly approve of the proposal, and that the details of working could be arranged satisfactorily without difficulty. Ho did not think the proposed contributions beyond the ability of the people to pay. Mr Hutchison regarded the proposal as revolutionary, and an intolerable inter ference in social life.

Mr Sheehan condemned the scheme as cruel and unsatisfactory. If such a scheme were carried, the colony would become a perfect Alsatia, "and a refuge for the destitute and improvident of all countries. He moved to insert the words, " proposal is not satisfactory," in the motion.

Mr Turnbull said the land monopoly was the sole cause of poverty in this colony, and this scheme was a fresh attempt to relieve property of its legitimate burdens.

Major Harris moved the adjournment of the debate, which was agreed to. A question of when it should be resumed arose, and Major Atkinson expressed regret that the question was being treated as a party one by a section of the House, although the leader of the Opposition behaved handsomely. Mr Sheehan said Major Atkinson wanted to make his amendment a_ no confidence one, but he would not let him. Mr Montgomery said he spoke for the bulk of the Opposition in disclaiming all desire that the question should be regarded as a party one or of confidence; Mr Barron blamed Major Atkinson for treating the question as a party one. He would not do so. '■ Sir George Grey disclaimed all discourtesy to the Government, butobjected to Mr Montgomery talking of~ the party. It might affect the character of hoa. members, his own for instance.

Ifr Montgomery said he bad never alluded to Sir George Grey as belonging to his party.

After some further discussion, the debate was, adjourned to the next day, and the House rose at 1.35.