The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the. West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21, 1938. PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1938, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the. West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21, 1938. PARLIAMENT.

With the rising of Parliament, the people, will be looking back on the business placed on-the statute book, and- looking forward to the general election to express their personal conclusions at the ballot box. Much legislation has been put through during the three sessions of the Labour Government, but undoubtedly the most important and discussed has been the security legislation. This is a comprehensive humanitaran measure designed to afford relief to all, at all events alter 1940. Not only are pensions provided at increased amounts, but there is a health service scheme on very generous lines. There is general agreement with the principles involved, and the earnestness of the Government in attempting to do the greatest good for the greatest number by a degree of security which will make old age endurable without special anxiety, and at the same time assist with the public health to remove family anxieties when sickness visits, and by prevention of sickness to build up a healthier race. The ideals are most commendable, and are in themselves worth a good deal to any country to bring into force. It is at that stage where concern, not to say alarm, is raised by the ability of the country to do all the good things promised. The cost is going to be large. The income to meet it all, means much direct taxation, and there is a wide difference of opinion as to the ability of the Dominion to carry on the comprehensive scheme when universal pensions come into force, on top of all the other charges. The estimates given are not too definite. They are essentially “estimates” founded on an approximate calculation on a per capito basis. But health and sickness are difficult to calculate* with accuracy, and it is feared with the population thrown on «the charge of the Government, me cost of the service and treatment will be beyond the, calculations. At the same time there is a difficulty in that the medical faculty are opposed to the scheme as adopted, and that barrier has still to be overcome. But the greater difficulty is the lack of assurance as to the finance. The Government is satisfied it can.be done, and as far as assurances go, show every confidence in their ability to carry the scheme through. Economists and big business people familiar with major financial problems, ate however, very sceptical. The average elector therefore has to take a lot for granted if lie supports the proposal, because he has no concrete evidence that the money* can be found. This then is the large question , at issue. The parties will require from the hustings to endeavour to clear up all doubts, pro afid con. There is behind it all the fear of much heavier taxation, and the levying on resources which will mean a check on private enterprise and the withdrawal of funds from useful works. If information of a definite character on these points were available there would be a more satisfied public in the aggregate. At the moment, this subject obtrudes as the most vital of the campaign, and Government candidates cannot be too definite in clearing up the doubt in the public mind on the financial effect of the big scheme on the country as a whole.