FREE MEDICINE

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23378, 11 July 1941, Page 11

FREE MEDICINE

MR NASH REPLIES TO QUESTIONS (P A.) AUCKLAND, July 10. Social legislation passed by the Government since 1935 was reviewed by the Acting-Prime Minister (the Hon. W. Nash), when addressing a meeting at Birkenhead in support of Mrs Dreaver, the Government’s candidate for Waitemata. Mr Nash said free medicine was now available to everybody. A voice: We are taxed for that, yet you say it is free. Mr Nash: You make a contribution; but you get back four times what you pay. A housewife has to pay only 5s a year. The voice: Just like a dog licence (Laughter.) ' ■ Mr Nash: Well, I think even a dog would not mind paying 5s a year if it got 10s for each of its puppies. (More laughter.) Mr Nash said the price of coal was being considered. ,A male voice: There are too many strikes Mr Nash: I do not approve of strikes; but the miners last year produced more coal than ever before in the Dominion.

The voice: You should apply the big stick.

Mr Nash: You cannot get the best results my using the big stick. If my friend wants to apply it, he would also need to apply it to the doctors. The voice: Why did Mr Webb take_ off his hat to the miners?. Mr Nash: Because of the work they are doing. I have been, underground, and have seen something of the conditions under which miners get coal for you and me. “We are not worrying about luxuries,” continued Mr Nash. “It Js essential commodities that matter, and we are endeavouring to stabilise those prices." A questioner pointed out that free medicine could only be obtained after a person had paid 10s 6d to a doctor.

Mr Nash said he understood that three prc .riptions could be obtained through one consultation. “I would give anything to have the full co-operation of the doctors,” he added, in referring to the medical benefits scheme. “The position would be rectified if I could do it. The Government has set aside £600,000 in the hope that the doctors will give their services this year.”