NEXT STEPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 224, 22 September 1938, Page 13

NEXT STEPS.

INCOMES FOR ALL

"HOME LIFE" FIRST.

l "W. SAVAGE'S OUTLINE.

EDUCATION AMD MEDICINE.

fßy Telesrraph.—Pre* Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day. The policy of the Government which will be expounded by the Prime Minister the Right Hon. M. J. Savage, in a broadeast address from the Wellington Town Hall this evening is as follows: —

-The objective of the Government is to utilise to the maximum extent the •wonderful resource* of the Dominion, first by maintaining and improving the living standards which have been experienced in the Dominion in the past three years, compared with the deprivation of the previous three years; secondly, to organise an internal economy wliioh will distribute the production and services of the Dominion in a way which will guarantee to every person able and ■willing t» work an income sufficient to provide him and his dependents with everything necessary to make a 'home' •nd a 'home life' in the best sense of the meaning of those terms; thirdly, to continue the progressive legislation and •dministration which have been successfully carried on by the Government since it took office on December 6, 1935. Thi* includes (a) the complete organisation of an administration, procedure and personnel to give effect to the Government's Social Security Act; (b) eo-operation with friendly societies in the extension of their membership and arrangements for the utilisation of friendly societies' dispensaries and other existing machinery which will assist in the practical administration of social security hcnefits; (c) negotiation with chemists to ensure their full co-o|>eration *n« ? f 1 - the supply of the dru?s and appliances required, tinder the medical benefits of the Act. at reasonable rates. Higher Living Standards. "The promise given before the last election that national health and superannuation services would be instituted has been honoured by the passing of the Social Security Act. which became law on September 14. 1938. By placing this Act on the Statute Book the Government provided machinery to institute social security next year, •as soon as the administrative procedure has been completed.

"It is now quite clear that social •ecurity will become operative .only if the Government is returned to office.

"The extended provision of family allowances is only one more step towards the objective of motherhood i MuViwmcnt, As circumstances enable the Ctovernifl/ent to take further steps to remove from our mothers the worry of maintaining families of children on inadequate incomes, the Government will extend the principle until every mother has sufficient income to maintain each child.

"To ensure the medical examination of every school child at least once each year, the school medical nursing services will be strengthened.

"The most rapid extension possible will be made in the school dental serTice, so that the teeth of all school children can be cared for.

"The milk-in-schools scheme is to be pushed forward so as to include all the schools in the Dominion at the earliest possible moment. "Additional health districts will be formed and the number of district health officers and nurses increased to provide better public health services. "An industrial hyjriene branch will be established to investigate and combat occupational diseases. Educational Advance. "Increased support will be given to the Medical Research Council. "Provision will be made for a most efficient maternity service in all parts of the Dominion.

"In continuation of the Government's successful policy of providing for all children the fullest educational opportunities from the kindergarten to the university, there will be a further development of kindergarten education ■nd a maintenance and extension of the Government's present energetic educational building programme. All new school buildings will be of the best type •nd will include native schools. "A progressive reduction will be made In the size of classes, and the numbers of students in the training colleges will be maintained at full strength. "Special attention will be given to the educational needs, both primary and post-primary, of country children, Including the consolidation of schools, the provision of post-primary schools and school departments in country districts, and assistance to pupils through increased conveyance services and boarding allowances and the installation of modern aids to teaching. "Physical education will be extended on the most approved scientific lines in •11 schools, and improvements made in school grounds and amenities. "The school leaving age will be raised to 15 years. The administrative control of primary and post-primary education will be unified and reorganised.

"Assured finance will be provided for the University of New Zealand and its constituent colleges. Adequate «iPP°rt will be given the Council of Adult Education, and a country library service will be developed."