NATIONAL INSURANCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 March 1939, Page 8

NATIONAL INSURANCE

DECISION OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REJECTED BY PRIVATE MEMBERS. DIRECTION TO MINISTRY. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day, 11 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. The “Sydney Morning Herald’s” Canberra correspondent says the proposal of a majority of the Federal Ministry that national insurance should be abandoned, was emphatically rejected by both Government parties at a joint meeting. Private members declared unanimously that they were edmmitted to national insurance, by promises made at the last general election, and they had no intention of going back on their promises. The ministry accepted what amounts to a direction that the principle of national insurance must be preserved. Nevertheless members demanded that the existing scheme should be revived, and the Ministry agreed to present an amended scheme to the parties within a few weeks’ time. The “Herald” - adds that the discussions never reached a stage when the future of any Minister was in question. Vital issues, however, have only been postponed. They will automatically arise again when the Ministry submits its amended proposals to its supporters. The “Daily Telegraph’s” Canberra correspondent says the decision of the joint party meeting must be regarded as a triumph for the attorney-general, Mr ,R. G. Menzies. It must also be taken to indicate that a split in the party is imminent.