SECURITY BILL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 August 1938, Page 4

SECURITY BILL

f YESTERDAY’S DISCUSSION VIEWS OF OPPOSED PARTIES. MINISTERS DEFEND PROPOSALS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Second reading speeches on the Government’s superannuation and health service proposals occupied another full day in the House of Representatives yesterday. Earlier in the week there was thought to be little likelihood of the second reading debate on the Social Security Bill extending beyond last night at the latest, but expectations that it would conclude at yesterday’s sitting were not realised. As Fridays and Tuesdays have been reserved for consideration of departmental estimates, the debate cannot now conclude before Wednesday. After the Minister of Finance, the Hon W. Nash, has replied to the debate, the House will go into committee to discuss the individual clauses in the Bill. Two Ministers took part in the debate —the Hon W. E. Parry and the Hon H. T. Armstrong. Mr Parry contended that even though people had made provision for their own future they had a definite responsibility to others less fortunately placed than themselves. Mr Armstrong said there was a superabundance of everything needed in New Zealand, and it was the duty of the strong to provide for the weak; the Government was not going to allow any combination to stand in the way of that achievement. The financial aspect of the Government’s proposals was analysed by the Rt Hon J. G. Coates (Opposition, Kaipara). He said there was more than a suspicion that the Minister of Finance was endeavouring to withhold full information regarding the future costs of the scheme. An additional £10,000,000 in new taxation would be required the first year of the scheme, which would involve a total expenditure of £22,000,000. Another Opposition speaker was Mr S. G. Holland (Christchurch North), who received an extension of speakingtime. He suggested that pressure from the left wing of the Labour Party had forced the Government to bring in the Bill in its present form. The proposed health scheme, he added, was doomed to failure. It would do nothing to improve the health of the. people. The National Party would provide a complete and adequate service for those who needed it, and leave others to make their own arrangements. The House adjourned at 10.30 p.m. until today.