HUMAN VALUES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 August 1938, Page 8

HUMAN VALUES

LABOUR MEMBER’S VIEWS ON SUPERANNUATION DENUNCIATION OF DEPRESSION COMPLEX (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Dav. Support for the Social Security Bill ->n the ground that it was based on an appreciation of human values was given by Mr W. J. Lyon (Government. Waitemata) during the second reading debate on the measure in the House of Representatives last night. “There are people who say thaj. superannuation schemes-are already in existence and that the Bill involves unnecessary duplication,” said Mr .Lyon. “Those same people during the depression compulsorily retired hundreds of civil servants on an actuarial computation and left them at a starvation level. These people weigh up everything on the basis of pounds, shillings and pence and not of human values. Their assumption that New Zealand is not going to progress in '.he next 40 years as it has in the last 40 years is merely another manifestation of the old depression complex.” In some quarters, said Mr Lyon, the Bill had been described as nothing more than an electioneering proposition.” Opposition members: “Hear, hear.” Mr Lyon: “Well, judging by the attitude of the Opposition, it must be a good Bill.” “The people are entitled 4° food, clothing and shelter,” Mr Lyon continued. “le we cannot afford it under the orthodox system, we must attain it by unorthodox methods.” Mr W. J. Polson (Opposition, Stratford): “Do you think 3s lid superannuation a week is enough?” Mr Lyons: “As far as the hon gentleman is concerned it is 3s Kild too much." “If this Government is forced intoj the position where it has to decide j whether it will protect vested interests and vested incomes or see that the people have the necessities of life,” added Mr Lyons, “I know that it will always stand for the welfare of the people as a whole.”