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HEALTH SERVICES

MEDICAL INSTITUTE

PROPOSALS SUPPORTED

1 Appreciation of the Government's proposals for a national health service was expressed by Mr. T. E. Hogarth on behalf of the Wellington United Friendly Societies' Medical Institute when he and Mr. A. J. Cathie (secretary of the institute) gave evidence 'before the Committee.

The institute hoped the Government's scheme would succeed, they said, but when it was established the institute would have to go out of business. It had never anticipated such a comprehensive national scheme and had acquired properties that would leave vthem with a liability of £6000 if it closed down. As it had given a remarkably cheap service to ifs members for twenty-one years; it considered the Government should take the service over as a going concern and relieve ii of all liability. The institute was prepared to co-operate to establish the national scheme, and it believed its experience would be of value.

The institute was established in 1916, Mr. Hogarth said, by a number of branches of friendly societies in Wellington.. The present number of contributors was 3028, and as the' majority of these were married men the estimated number receiving medical attention was at least 5000. Three medical officers were engaged at £750 per annum and "the right of private practice, and contributors could have the service of all three if the sickness warranted such attention.

Mr. Hogarth outlined the benefits received by contributors and concluded by expressing the institute's appreciation of the Government's proposals and offered the co-operation of the institute.

Mr. Cathie detailed the financial commitments of the institute.

In reply to the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash), Mr. Hogarth said a man who joined at the age of 16 would pay 19s a year and his wife~and family of boys under 16 and girls under 18 would receive all benefits.

To the Hon. J. G. Cobbe (National,

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19380407.2.81.2

Bibliographic details

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 10

Word Count
314

HEALTH SERVICES Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 10

HEALTH SERVICES Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 10