HEALTH INSURANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22831, 16 March 1936, Page 10

HEALTH INSURANCE

LEGISLATION NEXT YEAR STATEMENT BY MINISTER (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 15. A statement that it would not bo possible until next year for Parliament to legislate for national health insurance and superannuation schemes was made by the Minister of Health, Mr P. Fraser, when he opened the new ward at the Auckland infirmary. He said it was hoped in the meantime to do something for the aged people. Among the important items on Labour’s election platform, said Mr Fraser, were national health insurance and superannuation, combined with the existing pensions scheme. Since returned to office the Prime Minister, Mr M. J. Savage, had said the party’s programme would be carried out. It would not be possible in one session, however, to pass legislation to implement all those promises. In the coining session there would be many important —some of thein 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. The Minister said he understood from the Minister in charge of the Pensions Department, Mr W. E. Parry, that it was hoped to do something substantial this session pending a larger scheme to hoi]) 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 the cooperation which would make it successful.