SOCIAL SECURITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 November 1938, Page 4

SOCIAL SECURITY

DISCUSSED BY LABOUR CAUCUS. “GENERAL SURVEY OF THINGS AS THEY ARE.” (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The administration of the Social Security Act, which is to comb into operation on April 1, was one of many questions discussed at a caucus of members of the Parliamentary Labour Party held in Wellington yesterday. The caucus, which met during the morning and afternoon, will be continued today. The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon M. J. Savage, presided, and the only absentee was Mr H. T. Ratana (Western Maori), who forwarded an apology for nonattendance.

The gathering opened with a welcome by Mr Savage to members who had been returned to Parliament for the first time at the general election last month, and to sitting members who had been re-elected. He also expressed regret at the absence of some Labour members of the last Parliament. These candidates, he said, were only defeated by narrow majorities after having increased their vote. Although the Government lost seats it did not lose votes anywhere. “We have been discussing a thousand and one different things, including the administration of the Social Security Act,” said Mr Savage, when the caucus adjourned last evening. “So far the discussion has been on the lines of a general survey of things as they are in New Zealand, and the Government’s proposals for the future. No decisions have yet been made by caucus about anything.” Asked if reference had been made by caucus to the question of appointing further Parliamentary Under-Secre-taries, Mr Savage said that that question had not been discussed.