INQUIRY TO OPEN TO-DAY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 162, 5 April 1938, Page 12

INQUIRY TO OPEN TO-DAY

Social Security Plan

SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT

Further Statement To Be Submitted

The special Parliamentary Committee which has been appointed to examine the Government's national superannuation and free health service proposals will commence its sittings to-day. Its first duty will be the selection of a chairman, and it is generally expected in political circles that the Rev. A. H. Nordmeyer (Government, Oamaru) will receive this appointment. Although the procedure to be followed will be determined by the committee itself, to-day’s proceedings are not likely to, be very long. A statement will be submitted to the committee amplifying that made at the weekend by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, but no arrangements have been made for the taking of evidence to-day. Every opportunity is to be given for a thorough expression of views by organisations or individuals interested in the proposals. The fact that the scheme is to be maintained by a direct social security tax and a State subsidy, which is to be a “load” on the Exchequer, instead of being based on an insurance principle, may have the effect of limiting the evidence to some extent. Fuller Information to Come. Mr. Savage said last evening that full information concerning the proposals, including the cost involved, w’ould be placed before the committee. He had confined his week-end statement to a broad outline of, the scheme, for he did not wish to confuse the issue by the introduction of a mass of detail. An assurance that the rights of superannuitants and contributors under existing schemes would be safeguarded was given by Mr. Savage. He said that no one would be placed in a worse position than they were at present. If there was any danger to existing systems of insurance, steps would have to be taken to see that it was removed.

Asked if he was able to give additional details of the means test to be applied so far as the State superannuation plan was concerned, Mr. Savage said that all these would be placed before the committee. The proposals represented a substantial beginning, but he looked forward to the time ■when it would be possible to give everyone superannuation, irrespective of the fact that they might have additional income from some' other source. Order Of Reference. A .wide order of reference has been given the committee. It is to examine the proposals of the Government: — (1) To establish* a national health service for the purpose of ensuring to all persons ordinarily resident in New Zealand" (as occasion may require) adequate medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, dental, hospital, nursing, or ether treatment necessary to maintain sound physical and nxental health, and to assist recovery in the event of sickness (including the establishment of a nursing and domestic help service to provide for skilled assistance in the home in cases where sickness, illhealth, or other circumstances render such assistance necessary) ; and

(2) To establish a national superannuation service whereby provision shall be made that all persons ordinarily resident in New Zealand shall be assured of an adequate income to maintain them in reasonable comfort when they become unable to support themselves by reason of old age, infirmity, sickness, or other disability, or on account of widowhood or other special conditions. The committee is to report to the House of Representatives:—

(a) Generally on the proposals, with recommendations if the committee thinks fit, as to their extension 1 or limitation.

(b) As to tlie best means to be adopted for the financing of the proposed services. (c) As to the administration of the proposed services. (d) As to the conditions subject to which persons shall be entitled to the benefits proposed to be conferred by the said services. \

(e) With respect to the co-ordination of the proposed services with any existing services of a like 'kind for which provision is made by public or private organisations or institutions. (f) As to such other matters in relation to the said proposals as the committee thinks fit.'

The committee has power to consider any other matters relative to the above proposals that may from time to time be referred to it by the Government, and may report from time to time to the Government. .. The proceedings of the committee during the taking of evidence will be open to the Press. Its report is to be presented to the House of Representatives within 28 days of the opening of the next session of Parliament. AUSTRALIAN DOCTORS NOT PERTURBED Proposed Commonwealth Scheme Dominion Special Service. Auckland, April 4. “Doctors in Australia are not at all perturbed concerning the introduction of a national health insurance service,” said Dr. A. W. ,1. Bulteau, Sydney, who, with Mrs. Bulteau. passed through Auckland by the Monterey, en route to America, Great Britain, and the Continent. “The only factor which must lie guarded against under such a scheme is that doctors should never become rubber stamps, as they have tended to become under the English system. “Properly administered. national health insurance can do nothing but good for the people.” said Dr. Bulteau. “We confidently feel in Australia that a system of drafting patients will be carried out so that they will receive proper treatment for the various (y|K‘s of maladies and complaints. The scheme has been a byword for about 10 or 15 years, and we are all hopeful it will prove a success mid will be directed on sound lilies,"