HEALTH INSURANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 14, 16 July 1937, Page 10

HEALTH INSURANCE

FARMERS' VIEWS

NATIONAL SUPERANNUATION

SUPPORT FOR BOTH

j Two remits, as planks in the policy platform of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, dealing with health insurance

! and national insurance, were adopted

! by the national conference of the union ! yesterday afternoon.. The delegates ! who discussed the remits were in fav- [ our of health insurance covering all medical and public hospital services, J and of a superannuation scheme to I provide for all classes in the community. When the social plank of the policy platform was considered the following remits were moved:— "1. The Farmers' Union strongly supports a national health insurance scheme financed by compulsory direct 'contributions levied on wages, salaries, or personal income on a flat rate lin the £; benefits to be available withI out any limitation of income or in any other way." Mr. H. E. Blyde (North Taranaki) said that free hospital treatment would increase hospital population; and consequently they should consider the effect on hospital rating. Mr. W. A. Sheat (South Taranaki) I said he had been told that free hospital treatment would be provided but that the hospital would only receive finance from the fund on the basis of the fees collected at present. He moved that the conference should add to the motion: "The total cost of hosIpilal treatment to be a charge on the fund."

This was supported, by Mr. Mulnolland, who said hospital costs had increased but there was no increase in the number of rural taxpayers. He did not oppose increased hospital facilities, but such an increase should not become an unfair impost on the farmers. A health insurance scheme was necessary, but any scheme adopted should be properly financed. The suggested addition was meant in the clause, but its addition would make it clearer. The words were added and the clause adopted. PROVIDING PENSIONS. Mr. I. L. M. Coop (North Canterbury) moved:— "2. That the Farmers' Union also supports a national provident fund similarly financed to provide for all pensions and allowances except pensions and allowances for public ser- . vices."

Mr. Sheat said there were some people able to make provision for their old age, but if a scheme was established on a flat rate contribution some would pay more than others, although all would draw the same. The danger of such a scheme was that some people would be contributing for others and by doing that would be prevented from making private provision for old age.

Mr. Mulholland said a superannuation scheme could be used very unjustly if it were brought in in a wrong way, but that was no reason why they should not urge the establishment o£ a scheme that would be fair to all. [Insurance funds had been built up in 'New Zealand and it would be dangerous to place those funds under any individual or governmental control, but funds could be built up in the way certain funds had been built up "" in the past. He urged the conference to support a scheme and direct the executive to watch any scheme brought down.

The clause was adopted, and Mr. Sheat moved that the conference should instruct the national executive of the union to investigate any proposed scheme and endeavour to have adequate safeguards provided, This was also carried.