14
Wednesday, November 15, 1972
The joint planning already undertaken, and now established as a
permanent feature, would go a long way to meet the worries of agencies about
"red tape, occasional lack of government response, and a real worry about
their financial position."
Mr. Rowe believed that the projected rate of increase of 50 per cent
in subvention for the agencies over the five years from April 1973 would be
adequate to sustain the continued improvement in the quality of social welfare
service that everyone wished to see,
He was sure the agencies themselves, who had subscribed to the
proposals in the white paper, also regarded it as realistic.
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In addition, the proposed rate of increase had to be seen against a
background of recent rapid increases in social welfare subventions
had risen by 300 per cent between 1965 and 1972.
He said the rate of development required differed with the agencies,
according to their activities. Sone agencies would be "positively encouraged
to double their activities in the five-year period."
On the proposed disability and infirmity allowance scheme, Mr. Rowe
said he had noted the views of members on whether some form of means test
should be included. Although he could not anticipate the decision of the
Governor in Council, the views expressed would be taken into account when the
decision was reached.
About the proposed Institute for Social Work Training, he gave members
the assurance that every effort would be made to get it into operation as
quickly as possible.
/But