Social Security Finance

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 81, 6 April 1938, Page 6

Social Security Finance

SCHEME BEFORE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE Per Press Association. WELT "''GTON, April 5. The Government’s proposals for inc establishment of a national health and superannuation service were submitted this morning to a Parliamentary committee for examination. The proposals have already been outlined by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, but the intention in respect of miners is amplified as follows: “That superannuation at the rate of SO/- a week be paid to miners suffering from miners’ phthisis, with a supplementary benefit of up to 10/for a wife and ten shillings for each dependent child up to the age of 16 to supersede the present miners’ pension of 25/- a week.” Under the heading of finance it is necessary the funds should be provided by:— (a) A aocial security contribution of one shilling in the £ on the wages and other income of all persons. (b) Continuance of the present registration fee of £1 per annum for males over 20 years of age. (c) A subsidy from the Consolidated Fund. Chairman Elected. The Rev. A. H. Nodmeyer was elected chairman of the committee on the motion of the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. The Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, said that representatives from the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association would be in Wellington this week to give evidence. Representatives of insurance companies would be heard later, and friendly societies had also asked to be heard. Those were the three major bodies that had approached the Government to give evidence. Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Nat., Riccarton) asked when the committee would receive an actuarial report. Mr Nash said that the actuary was working on the proposals and that this report would available later with all the evidence regarding the costs. Mr Nordmeyer said he was sure that it would meet the wishes of the committee to have reports the committee might wish to study, but particularly the actuary’s report and the report he presumed the Treasury would make. Mr Savage said that the committee was entitled to h£Ve any information available, and it would be the job of the Government to provide the information sought. “With reason, of course”, he added. "We cannot be expected to tell what is happening in Greenland and Timbuctoo.” The Government would produce evidence to show on what the proposals were founded, and it was up to anyone who opposed those proposals to show where they were wrong. Breathing Space Wanted. At the request of the chairman, Mr A. G. Shrimpton, hon. secretary’ oi the Dominion Friendly Societies’ Council, said he considered that at least ten days would be required for the council to prepare its evidence. Mr. Savage, I am bound to say that if everyone wants ten days’ breathing space we may as w’ell go home. In reply to the chairman, who asked if the evidence of individuals was to be taken, Mr. Savage said his opinion was that the evidence should come from organised bodies. He moved that individuals could exprel* evidence in writing to the committee, which would decide whether or not the witness should be heard. If a witness were allowed to appear he would have to do so at his own expense. This motion was carried. Mr. Savage then moved that the committee should be supplied with evidence taken by the Health Committee last year (earlier in the proceeding? Vlr. Nash had announced that the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, proposed to make this report available to the committee), and then adjourn an til to-morrow. The committee then adjourned. A wide order of reference has been given the committee. It is to examine the proposals of the Government:— (1) To establish a national health service for the purpose of ensuring to all persons ordinarily resident in New Zealand (as occasion may require) adequate medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, dental, hospital, nursing, or other treatment necessary to maintain sound physical and mental health, and to assist recovery in the event of sickness (including the establishment of a nursing and domestic help service to provide for skilled assistance in the home in cases where sickness, illhealth, or other circumstances render such assistance necessary); and (2) To establish a national superannuation service whereby provision shall be made that all persons ordinarily resident in New Zealand •hall be assured of an adequate in-

come to maintain them in reasonable comfort when they become unable to support themselves by reason of old age, infirmity, sickness, or other disability, or on account of widowhood or other special conditions. The committee is to report to the House of Representatives:— (a) Generally on the proposals, with recommendations it the committee thinks fit, as to their extension or limitation.

(b) As to the best means to be adopted for the financing of the proposed services.

(e) As to the administration of the proposed services. (d) As to the conditions subject to which persons shall be entitled to the benefits proposed to be conferred by the said services.

(e) With respect to the co-ordination of the proposed services with any existing services o£ a like kind for which provision is made by public or private organisations or institutions. (f) As to such other matters in relation to the said proposals as the committee thinks fit.

The committee has power to consider any other matters relative to the above proposals that may from time to time

bo referred to it by the Government, and may report from time to time to the Government.

The proceedings of the committee during the taking of evidence will be open to the Press. Its report is to be presented to the House of Representatives within 28 days of the opening of the next session of Parliament. WHY FREE FOR ALL ? NEEDY WILL GAIN LEAST BY HEALTH SERVICE IMPORTANT OMISSIONS Per Press Association WELLINGTON, April 5. "The proposals for national health insurance put before the public by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, are remarkably at variance with the suggestions offered by the medical profession, at the request of :he Government, both to its appointed investigation committee and to members of Cabinet,” said the president of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, Dr. P. S. Jamieson, in an interview last night. Dr. Jamieson is also chairman of the national health insurance committee of the association.

"The profession,” he continued, “has consistently advocated that whatever measures were undertaken should be directed toward assisting the people to meet their needs in regard to medical service where these needs press most heavily. But the Prime Minister’s proposal of a free general practitioner service provides the one item of medical service to which the people now have the most ready access. It omits the very things—in particular, laboratory and specialists’ services—which are more difficult to obtain and are essential for the accuracy of diagnosis necessary for the efficiency of the general practitioners’ services.

"4 he principle of offering assistance to those who cannot provide fully for themselves has been adapted in the proposal relating to the superannuation and pensions scheme; and it is difficult to see why the same principle has ben departed from in the proposal for national health insurance. It would appear that in this respect the Government s proposals are ba.'-ed on enthusiasm for a politico-social icteul rather than on the real health requirements of the people cf this country.”