SECURITY BILL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 August 1938, Page 5

SECURITY BILL

BRIEF EXPLANATION GIYEN BY MINISTER UNIVERSAL SUPERANNUATION PROPOSAL. PROVISIONS OF HEALTH » SCHEME. > . (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A brief explanation of those features of the Bill which were not outlined in the report of the committee which investigated the Government’s proposals was given by the Minister of Finance, the Hon W. Nash, when the Social Security Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday. Apart from an inquiry by the Leadeiof the Opposition, the Hon Adam Hamilton, concerning any new developments, nd questions were asked, and the Minister’s explanation lasted less than 10 minutes. “I don’t know that I have ever heard of a Bill with such a long title before,” said Mr Hamilton, “I would be obliged if the Minister in charge would give us some idea of any alterations that have been introduced since the report of the committee was issued. I would also like to ask the Prime Minister whether there is any sense in going on discussing the report when the Bill has now been introduced.” Mr Savage: “It is for members to say. If they do not talk the discussion will automatically end.” Mr Nash said that one of the main features of the Bill, apart from those already announced, was that universal superannuation would be commenced in 1940 with an annual payment to everyone over a certain age. The payment would be increased in 1941 and every year after that until the £7B now paid as old-age pension was automatically available to everyone over 65. The Minister said that the Bill did not contain the provision, mentioned in the report, for the restoration of the returned soldiers’ economic pension. That would come later, probably in a Finance Bill, while later provision would also be made for the restoration of the war veterans’ allowance to a minimum of 25s a week as well as 15s for the wife, and, if the War Pensions Board considered it necessary, 30s for the veteran and 20s for his wife. “Under the Bill,” said Mr Nash, “the old-age pension will be a thing of the past and will be replaced by the age benefit of 30s a week for all persons of 60 and over who qualify. The health scheme provides for a universal general practitioner service under which doctors, if they choose to participate, will have the right to select patients, and people will have the right to choose their own doctor. The doctors will to a certain extent have the de,‘ ciding voice on the administrative side with regard to professional work.” The Minister, replying to a question by Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition, Riccarton), said that persons receiving superannuation would not have to contribute to the cost of the schemes.

The proposal made some time ago by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon M. J. Savage, that allowable incomes under the Government’s superannuation scheme should be extended to permit of a gross income, with superannuation, of £312 a year, is not included in the Social Security Bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Prime Minister stated in an interview last evening that his proposal had been replaced by the provision to introduce universal superannuation in gradual stages, commencing in 1940.