INSURANCE REORGANISATION.

The Government will also in all probability foreshadow the introduction of a bill to link up in one scheme health insurance, unemployment insurance, and old age pensions. A number of experts have been at work on the subject at the request of the Cabinet, and it is believed that a more comprehensive as well as a more beneficial system of contributory insurance can be devised. In any event the Cabinet will propose certain amendments in the Old Age Pensions Acts with the object of removing provisions which by general consent have the effect of penalising thrift. The legislation promised in the King’s Speech will also, it is anticipated, embrace a bill to improve the position of pre-war pensions, and also a measure, which has the consent of a great number of public authorities, to deal with the London traffic problem. With regard to agriculture, it is thought that the Government might usefully propose that effect should be given to some or the recommendations in the series of reports presented by the Departmental Committee presided over by the Marquis of Linlithgow. Mr. Asquith’s speech at the National Liberal Club was uncompromising in tone, but there is clear evidence that a number of Liberal members are definitely opposed to voting against the present Government (assuming the Protection plank is cut out of its platform) and installing a Socialist Ministry on the Treasury Bench. There will be a meeting of the Liberal Parliamentary party before the opening of the debate on the Address, and the wisdom of allowing the Socialists to climb into office with the aid of Liberal votes is certain to be challenged.

In view of the feeling among Unionists that the Government should face the issue in Parliament not as a Ministry anticipating immediate defeat but as one prepared, should assistance be forthcoming from the other constitutional party in the State, to carry on the administration of affairs with a practically non-controversial programme, the Prime Minister will be urged to make new appointments to replace some of the Ministers who were defeated at the polls.