National Health Insurance Next Year

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 63, 16 March 1936, Page 6

National Health Insurance Next Year

“OVERWHELMINGLY IMPORTANT MEASURES” COME FIRST HEALTH MINISTER'S STATEMENT Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Last Night. The statement that it would not bo possible until next year for Parliament to legislate for tho national health insurance and superannuation schemes was made by lion. P. Eraser, Minister of Health, when he opened the new ward at the Auckland Infirmary. He said it was hoped in the meantime to do something for aged people.

Among the important items on Labour’s election platform, said Air Eraser, were national health insurance and superannuation, combined with the existing pensions scheme. Since returned to office the Prime Minister had said the party’s programme would be carried out. It would uot be possible in one session, however, to pass legislation to implement all those promises. In tho coming session thero would be many important—some of them overwhelmingly important measures brought down, but it would not be possible this session to legislate for national health insurance and superannuation., That was for next year.

He understood from the l’eusions Minister that it was hoped to do something substantial this session pending the 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 co-operation which would make it successful.