SOCIAL SECURITY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20841, 27 June 1939, Page 9

SOCIAL SECURITY

METHOD OPPOSED GENERAL PRINCIPLE APPROVED CAMBRIDGE WOMEN’S MEETING (Special to Times) CAMBRIDGE, Monday A meeting sponsored by women of the country districts was held in the Cambridge Town Hall today to discuss the social security clauses relating to sickness and maternity benefits. Mrs P. Craig presided over an attendance of about *2OO, Mrs Craig said that the meeting did not represent any organisation and was not political. It would not allow anyone to participate in any criticism of the Government. Mrs C. Irvine 'Otorohanga) said she considered the maternity benefits were in recognition of women's services to the country. There were certain clauses to which she objected, the first being the restricted liberty in not being allowed to choose one's cwn doctor, although this could be done by paying extra. One could not call the doctor at other than special hours. Mrs Irvine said she objected to all doctors’ cases being open to inspection by the Government. In the pajt doctors’ confidences were so sacred lhat they were not even heard in a court of law. “As far as I can see there is no clause in the Bill allowing doctors the incentive to enlarge their scope,” said the speaker. “There will be no initiative for specialisation, and as a result the profession will deteriorate.” Mrs Donovan (INgarua) pointed out that children attended free s-chools in New Zealand, but could attend other schools if the parents airrced to pay. She said that if doctors’ hours were unsuitable they could probably be amended. She had heard that some of the young doctors were in accord with the medical scheme. Mrs Irvine: “There is a vast difference between the educational system and the proposed medical service.” Choice of Doctor Mrs C. Jones said a clause provided for the choice of one’s own doctor. Mrs Irvine: ‘‘Not the way it has been interpreted to me. Up till the present many doctors have not signed the contracts and boundaries have not been stated. I understand that people will have to go to the nearest doctor, so that as no doctors have signed up in Otorohanga the people will have to go to Te AwaTmrtu.” Mrs Craig said the booklet, “Social Security,” was only a precis of the Act and gave a bare outline of the proposals. “If there had been only one woman in Parliament when the Act was drawn up it would have omitted the clauses referred to,” said Mrs Craig.

Mrs W. Paterson (Otorohanga) favoured extending the activities of friendly societies. She said she considered the social security benefits clumsy. The Government should pay the money to the mothers and let them do their best with it. She favoured the Dannevirke resolution that the Government pay maternity benefits to mothers straight out. The Government had said that women had to be protected from bad husbands who would wait for the money to drink and gamble. All should not be penalised because of the few. Overwhelming Majority The following resolution, moved and seconded by Mrs A. J. Swayne (Fencourt) and Mrs E. N'ickle (Maungatautari) respectively, was passed by an overwhelming majority, only 16 votes being recorded against it. “ That this meeting, while approving of the maternity benefits under the Social Security Act, is opposed to the methods by w’hich the Government is giving effect to them, and in particular to the attempt to socialise the medical profession of this country. This meeting asks that the maternity benefit be paid direct to the mother.” At the close of the meeting a vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs Craig and Mrs Irvine.