SOCIAL SECURITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 September 1938, Page 7

SOCIAL SECURITY

SECOND READING DEBATE CONCLUDED FINANCE MINISTER’S REPLY. CONSIDERATION OF MEASURE IN COMMITTEE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The second reading debate on the Social Security Bill, which provides for the establishment of a superannuation scheme and a national health service, was completed in the House of Representatives last night. After the Minister of Finance, the Hon W. Nash, had replied .to various points raised by members during the debate, the Bill was accorded a second reading on the voices. The debate extended oyer six sittings, and, including the Minister's reply, 42 contributions were made to the discussion. Twenty-five of the. speeches were made by Government members, 14 by Opposition members and three by Independents.

The greater part of the afternoon was occupied by Government backbenchers in discussing the Bill. The Minister commenced his reply shortly before 5 o’clock. He received an extension of speaking-time, and continued with his reply when the House resumed in the evening after the tea adjournment. The Minister expressed his confidence in the productive capacity of the country to meet all costs arising out of the Government’s proposed health and superannuation services. The Bill, he added, would remove the obligation from both the giver and the receiver of charity to give it or accept it. There were thousands of people who went without full medical service because they could not afford it. The Minister claimed that there was nothing in the way of an investment or an insurance scheme that could in any way look at the proposals in the Bill. The Minister’s reply occupied two hours. The second reading of the Bill was agreed to amid applause from Government members. The House then went into Committee to discuss the clauses in the Bill. The short title was still under discussion when the House adjourned at 10.30 p.m. until today. Consideration of the Bill in Committee will be resumed this afternoon.