The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST” WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1938. Health And Superannuation Schemes

Northern Advocate, 30 March 1938, Page 4

The Northern Advocate Daily “NORTHLAND FIRST”

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1938. Health And Superannuation Schemes

Registered for transmission through the post as a Newspaper 0

INGE Labour’s advent to power in 1935 sweeping changes have taken place in the domestic economy of the Dominion. Not kJ since the days of the Liberal Administration of Seddon have so many new regulations governing our everyday life found their way on to the Statute Book, but the biggest move of all has been reserved for the concluding months of Labour’s first term of office. 5 . Promised legislation regarding national superannuation and health insurance has been much heralded and speculations as to the Government’s intentions have been very rife. However, the secret was well kept until yesterday when an outline of the. schemes, which it is obviously intended should dove-, tail into one another, was published. At this stage, it is difficult to comment definitely upon any of the proposals, which, still apparently, are in the nebulous stage. However, one thing is certain, the New Zealand taxpayer will be called upon to provide an immense sum of money, estimated to involve, in the suggested form of the plan, between £16,000,000 and £17,000,000 annually. It is reassuring in one way to learn that the money is not to be artificially created, but is to be found out of current revenue.

On the other hand, additional taxation, no matter how worthy the cause, can become a burden too great to bear, even in times of comparative prosperity., The present Government has averred repeatedly that there is no prospect of New Zealand ever being faced with another financial depression as was experienced in the early 1930’5. However, with the world in its present unsettled condition, and with New Zealand’s reliance upon overseas markets for the greater proportion of its income, the average person will require, considerably more assurance before he can rest satisfied that, whatever may happen in the Old World, he will continue to draw his weekly wages and receive value, on the tame basis as that which he receives today. ,

The passage of legislation in anything like the form now projected would further insulate this little Dominion, making her the hothouse of the- Southern Seas. While the prospect of having to raise £17,000,000 additional taxation in times of prosperity is startling enough to men with average incomes, tney : may be inclined to ask just how they could raise this money if their incomes were reduced. Even if it were possible to do so m a time of financial stringency, would the £17,000,000 be anything like adequate, with thousands more unemployed? _ ...

(Judging from the skeleton outline made public yesterday, one of the dilncnlties of any such revolutionary plan of this nature is that at times when the taxpayer is least capable of paying, the calls upon the fund will be the greatest.

Some might inquire whether, if our lives are to be still further hound up with taxation, the unceasing toil and effort required to meet these further commitments will be worth while, considering the monetary value of the benefits offered. ‘

If the panel system is adhered to universally, giving the patient the right to choose a private practitioner _in whom he reposes the fullest confidence, some part of the criticism which would otherwise be levelled at the health scheme will be remoA'ed. The disappearance of the family .doctor, with his particular knowledge of case history, in a huge administrative machine in which he would be merely an employee of the State would be greatly deplored. ~ - *

On the other side of the picture there is the aspect that free medical treatment may induce those suffering from poor health to seek medical aid sooner than they might otherwise have done if there was the prospect of a fee to be paid. Provided it is not abused, early preventive treatment, in itself, may save the nation many valuable lives and heavy expenditure in hospitals and invalidity pensions.

Labour is not the first New Zealand political party to advance proposals for 1 national superannuation. In fact, many in unsheltered private life have asked themselves why they should contribute towards finding retiring allowances for civil servants. It is around the question of methods and financial provisions that differences revolve. 1

Possibly the Government has considered already and found solutions for several of the difficulties mentioned. The Government is to be commended upon the time and thought it has obviously put into the subject ,which is one affecting, perhaps more vitally than any other, the stability of the Dominion. The lesson of the past has been that it is much easier to build up than to reduce in any way the annual vote for social services.

So long as that vote is in proportion to the earnings of the people, and is expended to the best possible advantage, New Zealanders, long accustomed to progressive social legislation will offer few complaints.