SOCIAL BENEFITS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24656, 11 July 1941, Page 4

SOCIAL BENEFITS

MR NASH IN DEFENCE ELECTORS’ QUESTIONS COST OF " FREE " MEDICINES (P.A.) AUCKLAND, July 10. The social legislation passed by the Government since 1935 was reviewed by the Acting Prime Minister. Mr W. Nash, when addressing a meeting at Birkenhead in support of Mrs M, : M. Dreaver, the official Labour candidate for the Waitemata seat. Mr Nash said that free medicine was now available to everybody. A voice: We are taxed for that, vet you say it is free. Mr Nash: You make a contribution, but you get back four times what you pay. A housewife has to pay only 5s a year. , The voice: Just like the dog hcence! (Laughter.) Mr Nash: Well, I think even a dog wouldn't mind paying 5s a year if it got 10s for each of its puppies.—(More laughter.) Mr Nash said the price of coal was being considered. A male voice: There are too many Mr Nash: I do not approve of strikes, but the miners last year produced more coal than ever before in the Dominion. The voice; You should apply the big stick. Mr Nash: You cannot get the best results by using the big stick. If my friend wants to apply it, he would also heed to apply it to the doctors. The voice: Why did Mr Webb take off’ ; iis hat to the miners? Mr Nash: Because of the work they are doing. I have been underground and have seen something of the conditions under which the miners get coal for you and me. “We are not worrying about luxuries.” Mr Nash continued. “It is the essential commodities that matter, and we are endeavouring to’stabilise those prices.” f A questioner pointed out that free medicine could be obtained only after a person had paid 10s 6d to a doctor. Mr Nash said he understood that three prescriptions could be obtained through one consultation. “ I would give anything to have the full co-operation of the doctors.” he added, referring to the medical benefits scheme. “ The position would be rectified if I could do it. The Government has set aside £600,000 in the hope that the doctors will give their services this year.”