MEDICAL BENEFITS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 10, 11 July 1941, Page 6

MEDICAL BENEFITS

ELECTORS CRITICAL

MR. NASH QUESTIONED

£600,000 FOR DOCTORS

(0.C.)

(0.C.) AUCKLAND, This Day. The social legislation passed by the Government since 1935 was reviewed by the Acting .Prime Minister (Mr. Nash), when, addressing a meeting at Birkenhead yesterday afternoon in support of Mrs. M. M. Dreaver, the Government candidate for the Waitemata seat. When Mr. Nash referred to benefits under the social security scheme and said free medicine was now available to everybody a man in the audience interjected: 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. The housewife has to pay only 5s a year. The voice: Just like a /log licence. (Laughter.) Mr. Nash: Well, I think even the dog wouldn't mind, paying 5s a year if it got 10s* for each of its puppies. (More laughter.) PROBLEM OF PRICES. Speaking on financial matters, the Minister warned his audience not to be deceived by those people who said the country had only to issue more money and' all would be well. The Stabilisation Committee was working on the problems of restraining the costs of commodities. It would cost the Government £400,000 in the coming year to keep sugar at the same price and £240,000 for a similar purpose with bread. The price of coal was also 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 by using the big.stick. If my friend wants to apply it he would also need to apply it to the doctors. MR. WEBB AND HIS HAT. 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 the miners get coal for you; and me. "We are not worrying about luxuries," continued the Minister. "It is the essential commodities that matter and we are endeavouring to stabil-' ise those prices."

5s a year.

A questioner pointed out that free medicine could only be obtained after a person had paid 10s 6d to a doctor. The Minister said he understood three prescriptions 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."

A vote of confidence in the candidate was carried unanimously.