Social Security

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 190, 8 December 1941, Page 5

Social Security

Speaking of the Free Medical Service which Labour was seeking to introduce, she claimed that the medical men who were fighting the proposals were putting up the greatest game of MufF it was possible to conceive. They were men avlio themselves belonged to the greatest and most powerful union in the world, yet thcj T disparaged unionism. They were against the 10 hours week, yet those attached to hospitals drew a fee of £20 weekly for only 0 hours work. She herself was far from satisfied with the half-crown rise which the Government agreed to give them under the scheme and considered the original 5 - ample. It was the city men with large practices—the specialists who had raised the greatest opposition; not the country men with the difficulties of rural areas to contend with. They had never had a chance to record >.their votes in the matter.

The Social Security legislation 'would constitute one of the greatest boons ever released —free hospital and medical treatment without the nightmare of mounting costs to distract the patient.

The War Effort Speaking of Labour and the country's war effort, Mrs Dreaver said it Avas necessary for New Zealand people to become more tolerant. So : few of them realised that the Empire wa® fighting for its life, wliiJe they were only on the fringe of things. Women who complained at the shortage of silk stockings should recognise that the silk was being appropriated for the making of parachutes and other purposes vital to the prosecution of the war. She touched on the work of rehabilitation, and claimed that the soldiers coming home would receive a far better deal from the Government now in office owing to its human outlook. Unfortunately Ave- could not be blind toi the fact that after this war Ave Avould be likely to haA'e an eA 7 en greater problem Ay»ith disabled men than after the last war. Labour could be relied upon to do the right - .thing. Women and the War 'The growing Avorlc of women in with the Avar Avas also r touched upon, the speaker stating that already 332 nurses had been enlisted, 587 were members of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, and .-approximately 15,000 members of the W.W.S.A. All AA T ere keen to do their bit and thf scheme would shortly be extended eA r en more. Mrs DreaA-er concluded Avith a strong appeal to electors to keep the Bay of Plenty seat in Labour's possession and to assist the Government in its efforts to bring in still more improved legislation.