HEALTH SCHEME

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 78, 29 September 1938, Page 24

HEALTH SCHEME

DOCTORS' SERVICES

MRS. STEWART AT

NORTHLAND

Complete faith in the willingness of the medical profession to cooperate in the Government's health service scheme was expressed by Mrs. C. S. Stewart, Labour candidate for Wellington West, in an address in St. Anne's Hall, Northland, last night. There was a good attendance and-the speaker was given an attentive hearing. Mr. J. Read occupied the chair, and with him was Mr. R. McKeen, Labour candidate for Wellington South. Mrs. Stewart said that the Social Security Act was the most wonderful piece of work that any. Government had ever attempted. First was' the old-age security provision, the value of which to the working people could well be appreciated. It was a glorious thing to feel independent in their old age. Like thousands of others, the provision she and her husband had made for their old age was swept away by the depression, and when the Labour Government was returned last election she and others felt as if a great loa^d had been lifted off their shoulders. "It has been said that the Government was' discouraging thrift, and that it was making u§ all leaners, instead of letting us stand on our own feet," said the candidate. -"I deny that. No other Government has done more to encourage a spirit of independence and an opportunity for initiative."

Mrs. Stewart spoke of the benefits bestowed on widows and deserted wives and orphans, and emphasised the value of a proper home environment in moulding a child's character and outlook. There was not a person in the hall who did not know someone who woUld benefit as a result of this humane Act of the Government. The speaker touched on other benefits under the Act, and remarked that in spite of the fact that they had no women to help them, the Government had not left much out of the Act.

Touching on the health service side, Mrs. Stewart said it was almost unbelievable in this enlightened age that an adequate health service should be influenced by £s.d. That had been the case in the past because of the lack of financial security. Many times a man or a woman had wanted medical attention, but because of the fear of not being able to pay for it they carried on until a prolonged illness or even death resulted. In spite of all that had been said about them, the members of the medical profession were like any other section of the community. There was a minority, as in other walks of life, who lacked that something—that spirit that gave them the finest doctors in the world. "I am sure that the medical profession will attend to all our needs and give us all the service that they would give to an exclusive and wealthy patient," said the speaker. "It was a disgrace for the Government's opponents to say that the proposed health service will cause the doctors to give only a partial treatment. I have a far greater regard for the morale of the medical men and women than to believe anything like that."

In speaking on Mrs. Stewarts behalf Mr. McKeen said that Mrs. Stewart might be a woman, but she could fight, and she had as much right in Parliament as any other member.

The candidate was accorded a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence.