COMING SESSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22820, 30 August 1937, Page 10

COMING SESSION

GOVERNMENT'S PLANS

REVIEW BY MR. SAVAGE HEALTH INSURANCE SUPERANNUATION FOR ALL [BY TET-iECItAFH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] CHRISTCHDRCH, Sunday "The programme of legislation for the coming session will not be so extensive as last year, but it will contain several important bills," said the Prime Minister, the Rfc. Hon. M. J. Savage, to-day. "Ministers have been busy outlining tho provisions of measures affecting their respective responsibilities and the law draftsman has a fair amount of work in hand. "It is too early yet to give details," said Mr. Savage, "but it can be said that apart from a number of departmental machinery measures, several of the bills will be of an amending nature, giving effect to my statements in tho House last session that, if any of the Government's initial measures were found in operation to have fallen short of their purpose or to have created anomalies, there would be neither hesitation nor delay in making the necessary adjustments. Questions of repealing any of our legislation or making any vital alteration in principle have not arisen. "The Budget, the Estimates and the Public Works Statement will dominate tho early part of tho session and there should be no dearth of talking points for Government members, as well as for tho Opposition. The Minister of Finance has something ; substantial to show as • a result of tho Government's policy of rebuilding New Zealand's social structure. Provision For Old Age "Later in the session, probably during the second part, after the midsummer recess, the most important legislation in the Government's immediate programme will be introduced," continued the Prime Minister. "This will give effect to a comprehensive scheme of national health insurance and national superannuation. It is our aim to give far-reaching effect to the national superannuation plan so that it will be possible for every man and ■woman to spend old age in a reason able standard of comfort. After all, if tho actual and potential wealth of New Zealand cannot support that level of security for the aged, then all commentators should stop talking about the country's resources. "It is intended that the scheme shall bo universal in operation. A special committee has been collecting data and preparing a report during my absence, and tliat information is' being considered by the Cabinet. No Rash Experiment " As for the establishment of a sound system of national health insurance, our scheme is by no means a rash experiment," said Mr. Savage. "Health insurance has been so well established in other countries that a scheme should have been in operation in New Zealand long ago. "I noticed recently that an editorial writer, in a difficult effort to condemn the Government's proposal, misused the old metaphor that instead of providing an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff the State should build a fence at the top. Well, the trouble is that so many people have already fallen over the cliff that the ambulance is more than fully occupied. We have to maintain not only an ambulance, but as soon as possible erect a good substantial fence. Experience Elsewhere "This country is far behind in respect to health insurance," the Prime Minister continued. "Already no fewer than 23 countries have compulsory health insurance schemes in successful operation. These include Great Britain, the Irish Free State, France, Germany, Russia and Japan. Voluntary schemes operate in seven countries. In addition social insurance schemes are proposed for 14 other countries, including Australia, Canada, South Africa and India. Not since the movement began has the scheme been abandoned anywhere, and wherever there has been an alteration it has been to expand the benefits of the scheme. "Hitherto New Zealand has turned its back on the march of progress in respect of national health insurance. The present Government is determined at least to step into line. Further, we mean to take full advantage of the experience of other countries and avoid defects that are being put right elsewhere. A practical scheme for New Zealand is at last in sight."