HEALTH INSURANCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 80, 16 March 1936, Page 9

HEALTH INSURANCE

Not Possible This Year By Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, March 15. A statement that it would not be possible until next year for Parliament to legislate for national health insurance and superannuation schemes, was made by the Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Public Health, when he opened a new ward at the Auckland Infirmary. He said it was hoped in the meantime to do something for the aged people. Among the important items on Labour’s election platform, said Mr Fraser, were national health insurance and superannuation, combined with ths existing pensions scheme. Since he had been returned to office the Prime Minister had said that the party’s programme would be carried out. It would not be possible in one session, however, to pass legislation to implement all those promises. In the coming session there would be many important—some of them overwhelmingly importantmeasures brought down, but it would not bo possible this session to legislate for national health insurance and super annuation. That was for next year.

He understood from the Pensions Minister that it was hoped to do some thing substantial this session, pending a larger scheme, to help old people. At any rate, the Government considered it better to take time to ensure the co-operation of all, so that when the scheme was finally launched they would be sure of the co-operation which would make it successful.