NATIONAL HEALTH

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 82, 8 April 1937, Page 9

NATIONAL HEALTH

INSURANCE SCHEME.

NEW ZEALAND PROPOSAL.

X»ET AXILS Or FI/AN AWAITED.

Regarded as one of the moat tinportat4 and far-reaching pieces of legislation yet to be submitted to the New Zealand Parliament, details of the proposed form which the present Government will adopt for .the inauguration of its national health insurance system are eagerly awaited. A Parliamentary committee has been taking evidence on the subject for some considerable time, and the Government has circulated to interest* most closely concerned an elaborate questionnaire with a view to forming the policy to be embodied in the pending legislation. A very keen and lively interest has been evinced in the subject by Friendly Societies throughout the Dominion. At one time the Government's proposals were regarded with apprehension, and there was a profound fear that this already extensive social institution was in danger of being immersed in the national scheme. Reassurances, however, have been reiterated by Ministers and members" of the Government that the invaluable services to the community of the Friendly Society movement would not be jeopardised. The National Council of Friendly Societies, a composite body representing 24 societies and 94.08 per cent of the total membership oft all societies in the Dominion, hae given exhaustive consideration to the matter of national health insurance, and the questions asked by the Government, and the views of this substantial section of interested public opinion have been placed before the investigating committee. Principle Approved. The council, recognising the need and demand for improvement in the socia conditions of the people, and the trend! of modern thought, -etate* that th»J

friendly societies are prepaed to cooperate and give the benefits of their < long experience in the inauguration of a national scheme of health insurance. Further, the friendly societies strongly urge "the nee of and are ready to set at the disposal of the State the elaborate existing organisation of the movement r or carrying out a national scheme'. It s emphasised that the machinery for a great undertaking such as a compulsory national insurance scheme is one of the fundamental factors in the success of any such undertaking, and the modus operandi in regard to administration can be made use of by the Government without, any delay whatsoever. The council strongly advocates, that the scheme be worked through approved friendly societies, and elaborates its contention by pointing out that there are over 1000 local branches co-ordinated and controlled by districts and central bodies, and these would give an insured person, under a national scheme, the right and opportunity of a share in the administration of the undertaking, friendly societies in New Zealand have managed their affairs, efficiently and successfully for nearly 100 years under supervision of the Government Actuary, and the extent of their operations is indicated by statistics which show that from 1887 to 1935 they disbursed in sick pay £3,690,388, in funeral benefits £1,001,690, and in medical and medicine £3,739,168. making a total for the last 49 years of £8,431,246. Distinct Progress Shown. The progress is distinctly shown when the year 1935 is taken alone. The amount for that year over the three benefits totalled £368,901, which is recurring and increasing annually. At the end of the financial year 1935 the membership of friendly societies represented on the national council numbered 103,612, all over Iβ years of age, and together with wives and children covered at least 350,000 of the population of New Zealand entitled to benefits. With an organisation already dispensing medical, sickness, and funeral benefits to such a substantial proportion of the people of the country, the friendly society movement strongiy emphasises the efficacy of it 3 claim that the national scheme should be worked through 'approved friendly societies, and in this I regard it is recalled that the national tj insurance, scheme of Great Britain,

which covers something over 14,000,000 contributors is worked entirely in this manner. During the 25 years through which Mr. Lloyd George's scheme has been in operation, it has been administered through this medium and its success has more than justified the farsighted wisdom of the British authorities in deciding to utilise the machinery already to hand in the friendly society movement.