HEALTH INSURANCE.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13549, 29 April 1937, Page 5

HEALTH INSURANCE.

SECOND EDITION

MINISTER IMPOUNDS POLICY.

TO MANCHESTER UNITY ODDFELLOWS.

Electric Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON April 29. A large number ol members anti guests were present at last night's installation ceremony at the eighteenth movable con lei eiice ot the Manchester Unity. Independent OrcL er of Oddfellows, when Bro. W. McMillan, grandmas ter-elect, was invested by the installing master. Bro. A. C. Blair. The district grand-mas-ter. Bro. J. L. Stewart, presided. The Minister in charge oi friendly societies, Hon. W. Lee Martin, expressed thanks on behalf oi the Government for the donation made by the order to the King George V. Memorial Fund.

The Minister praised the work of the Manchester Unity in the past, saying it would be impossible to measure the value of the assistance rendered by the society. By its sick benefits it had greatly helped in the relief of distress among those connected with the order.

“Members have been wondering how the Government’s scheme of national health insurance is going to affect the friendly societies,” said Mr. Lee Martin. “1 can give you my assurance that the Government intends to invite the* help and co-op-eration oi these organisations. One cannot imagine any Government which would not take advantage of your experience in health insurance. The changes brought about in society by modern conditions have made it necessary for us to take steps to do something in addition to the work already being done by the* societies. The English national scheme has worked out for the benefit of friendly societies, and though the English methods may not be used here, the societies will nevertheless be brought into consultation, and between us we ought to he able to evolve something satisfactory. There are a number of people who cannot measure up to the health standards required by the societies, but it is recognised that these also are entitled to our assirtanee.”