MEDICAL SERVICE

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19662, 23 August 1935, Page 8

MEDICAL SERVICE

LABOUR’S NATIONAL PLANS APPLICATION BY UNEMPLOYED. UNIVERSAL SUPERANNUATION. A complete medical service together with universal superannuation as one of the main principles of Labour's policy, was advocated by the Leader of the Opposition, Air AI. J. Savage, AI.P., speaking at Cambridge last evening. Air Savage said that Labour's policy would be to have a completely -co-or-dinated national health service based upon universal insurance. In the matter of co-ordination of medical services, the parent body of the British Medical Association had given considerable attention to that phase of the matter, and .had provided an outline of a scheme that would be helpful in the development of a national health service. “The present method of raising revenue for hospital upkeep is inequitable in its incidence, as a substantial sum has to be raised from rates irrespective of the incomes of the ratepayers,” said Mr Savage. “ A national health service should provide: (1) Full medical,, dental, nursing, ; and kindred services to all citizens; (2) A financial foundation for such service based upon universal insurance. (3) Payment for services rendered and ('4) training of students for all branches of the service.

Air Savage said that the growing problem of unemployment was due mainly to improved methods of production plus lack of purchasing power, and should be met toy reduced hours of labour and increased purchasing power for the masses. Unless purchasing power of the masses kept pace with increasing production there could be no legitimate object in more production.

. “ The immediate employment of all workers on work of first-class importance must be taken in hand if we are to save the country from bankruptcy,” added Air Savage. “ Land is avvaiting improvement and settlement; public works —including certain railways—are awaiting completion; ' the construction and maintenance of national and secondary highways, baclchlock roads, and approved local body works will find employment for thousands of nien at rales of pay that will enable them to again establish some degree of independence and become, useful .purchasers in 1 the markets of their own country.” Social Services Extended. “-During recent years serious inroads have been made into pensions, superannuation, national provident fund, and a number of -other social services. The government of the day has, during a period of prosperity, been remitting taxation to the wealthy and declaring a surplus while at the same time failing to meet its obligations to the superannuation funds. Financial agreements with public servants and superannuitants have been ruthlessly smashed. Labour-will completely reverse that policy, and extend to all citizens the benefits of a generous superannuation system,” said Mr Savage. “ Education and public health services have also been attacked and it is the duty of Labour to strengthen the Education Department and to establish a health service In the Dominion.

“ Able-bodied citizens below the age of, say -60 years, should be prepared, with the aid of science, to accept the responsibility of providing everything that goes to make life worth living for alt. Sixty years of ago, or invalidity, should he the test for all citizens for superannuation or pension sufficient to place them beyond the reach of poverty. Wealth is already produced in sufficient quantities to provide for such a policy; and increasing production should mean increasing standards of life,” concluded Mr Savage. ‘