SOCIAL SECURITY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 95, 22 March 1939, Page 2

SOCIAL SECURITY

THE MEDICAL BENEFITS. ODDFELLOWS’ DISCUSSION. Per Press Association. AUCiyLAaD, March 21. The Manchester Unity, 1.0.0. F. conference to-day authorised the preparation of legislation to deal with problems arising out of the social security scheme and decided to call a special meeting to consider such legislation. Though the Dominion Council of the Friendly Societies had received no information relative to the medical benefits under section 3 of the Act, Mr Shrimpton expressed his personal opinion that if ever the issue between the Government and the British Medical Association was settled the medical officer would receive about 15s per capita per annum, which would mean in a household of five a total of £3 15s yearly, whereas the present payment on the same basis was approximately £2 Bs. A suggestion had been reeeived from the Minister that the machinery now available through the friendly societies should l>e used for the payment of sickness benefits to persons in the households of friendly society members and for the payment of l>enefit« in small centres where the establishment of an office of the department would l>e u n warranted. The Government recognised, stated the Minister, that the societies would have to be reimbursed for such service. It was reported that the Government had given no further indication regarding payments to hospital boards on behalf of mcml>ers who may receive hospital benefits. The suggestion was made that the medical benefits of the Act should be made to date from a time to correspond with the present lodge quarter. The position regarding the maternity allowance of £6 now being paid to friendly society members was discussed. Information was sought as lo whether this would continue when the maternity benefit under the Act came into operation. Air G. C. Laws (district secretary, Hawke's Bay) reported that he had been advised that the national provident fund would continue to honour claims till the Government scheme became operative. It- was further stated that the Government scheme would make it optional for a member to take a benefit under the social security scheme or through the lodge. Tf taken through the lodge the £3OO salary bar would operate, but this would not apply if the benefit was taken under social security. A new rule was adopted to allow the society to co-operate wholeheartedly with the Government in the administration of the scheme.