TO BE DELAYED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 10

TO BE DELAYED

MEDICAL BENEFITS SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME ( Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Feb. 3. "It w’il not be possible for the necessary arrangements to be made to inaugurate the medical and allied benefits under the Social Security scheme on April 1,” said the Minister of Health, Hon. P. Fraser, in an interview this evening. The Social Security Act, which was passed during last session of Parliament, provides for the administration of these benefits by the Minister of Health. Mr. Fraser said that in view of the negotiations that had to take place with the medical and other professions, as well as with the friendly societies, the inauguration of the scheme on April 1 was a physical impossibility. However, there had been, and would be, no unnecessary delay and the Government proposed to have the full scheme in operation on of v- liich would come into force on April J. “DOCTORS WILL HAVE TO FALL IX LINE” A VISITORS COMMENT. [ Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Feb. 3. "I regard it as a significant fact that lhe Conservative Government in the Commonwealth, represented by the United Australia Party, and the Labour Government in New Zealand have both sponsored at the same time almost identical proposals for the nationalisation of the health services of their respective countries,” said Dr. Stuart Jones, of Edinburgh, who arrived by the Oronsay. "That shows the trend of public opinion. My view is that ultimately medical practitioners will have to fall into line and accept the terms laid down by the Governments. The public will demand this. I do not hold the ’.new that in the event of agreement not being reached it will bo practical to import doctors from abroad. That is possible only’ in respect to staffing hospitals and other institutions but not for general practice. "I think also that ultimately specialists will have to be incorporated in the proposals. The system will not function efficiently otherwise.” Dr. Jones will confer with the i Prime Minister. Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. and others concerning the social security legislation.