NATIONAL PROVIDENT SCHEME.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10202, 1 April 1911, Page 4

NATIONAL PROVIDENT SCHEME.

■ ■■■-■ 7* — ~ ... . ; If any working men are' induced to "insure" under the National Provident scheme (says the Rangitikei Advocate), it may be confidently predicted that they will cease contributing after a very short experience of its working. We have previously drawn attention to its defects,, and we desire to again emphasise the fact that it was devised with the object of securing the shillings of the working men for the use of the Treasury without interest. The "benefits" it proffers are without substance. The "maternity" bene-, fit cannot be claimed till the contributor lias been paying into the funds for a year, and the amount may be restricted to actual expenses of medical attendance and in any case cannot exceed £6. The "incapacity benefit" is not payable to any contributor unless he or she has children under 14 years of age. It is also expressly provided that it is not payable if the child is an adopted child. A childless couple cannot possibly receive any benefit whatever, and those with children over 14 are in the same position. They may hand over their money to the State, which will not pay them any interest, but they can get no benefit in return. !