SOCIAL PLANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22972, 25 February 1938, Page 12

SOCIAL PLANS

GOVERNMENT BILLS POSSIBLE PROCEDURE 'IIME FOR PUBLIC STUDY PASSAGE LIKELY LATER [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday The Government's proposals for f national health insurance and superi annuation are expected to constitute : the most important' question to come ; before Parliament during the balance of tho second session, which is to be rei samed next Tuesday. However, although the Government is satisfied with the progress made in shaping the health and superannuation schemes, the questions involved are so complex that, in somo well-informed circles, it is believed tbat the legislation giving effect to the Government's considered policy may only be introduced this ses- ; sion and not proceeded with until Parliament meets later in the year for its final round of business before the oleo ' tions.

Thero aro several factors which support the belief that tho Government • does not wish to rush its fences in dealing with such highly important matters of social legislation. For one thing, the illness of ;tho Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, has meant his absence from many Cabinet meetings and, as leader of the Government, he must givo pcr- , sonal attention to the framing of legislation to which he himself is personally pledged. < Testing Public Reaction It is understood that the superannuation proposals are well advanced, but. that various important points of policy have still to bo ironed out in shaping the health insuranco scheme. If both superannuation and health insuranco are to bo financed through a combined tax or levy, it seems reasonable to assume that one scheme cannot proceed without the other. It is also stated that the Government is anxious to place concrete proposals before tho country in order to study tho general public reaction. The general anticipation is that tho schemes can only be financed by contributions by way of levy or taxation, and a belief is largely held that the Government would be acting wisely if ib -gave the sufficient time to study full details of its proposals before it proceeds to pat them into operation. If all matters concerning health insurance and superannuation are brought to finality within the next month or two, the Government could then introduce a bill covering the main aspects of its policy, and leave it for public examination and comment, with a view to reshaping it in detail if necessary when Parliament meets for its £nal session. Prime Minister's Health

. At the moment there is no great activity in Parliament Buildings, Although messengers and others who are employed elsewhere during the repress are filtering back to work in the corridors and lobbies. Mr. Savage himself is still keeping curtailed hours in hiift "attendance at office. He was present at a meeting of the Cabinet thiis morning, , but when the meeting wsis resumed this afternoon the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, took charge of' the proceedings. «(However, the Prime Minister's health is rapidly,improving, and he is firm in jhis intention to attend a Labour Parly meeting at Featherston on Saturday and, to visit Auckland for the opening of .the Catholic Centenary celebrations early next week.' . s . • "Various- other Ministers have been away from Wellington at intervals during the past week, but they are gradually Reassembling. A caucus of the Government Party is bound to be held shortly, but owing to the fact that the Prime Minister will leave for Auckland on Sunday night,"the actual date has not yet been fixed. When Parliament resumes on Tuesday it is anticipated that tributes will be paid to the memories of former legislators who have died during the recess, and that the House of Representatives will then adjourn-until Wednesday. ,

One Government bill of. some imthe Health Amendment Bill, is still on the order paper, and in addition there is a motion for the ratification of conventions adopted at Geneva. These , two . matters, tpgether with formal business, will probably occupy tho House for at least a week.