PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 23384, 29 September 1939, Page 9

PARLIAMENT

THIS MORNING'S SITTING DEBATE ON SOCIAL SECURITY PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO FULL BENEFITS [Pen United Pit ess Association.) WELLINGTON, September 29. The House met at 10.30 a.m., when tho Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Parry, moved tho second reading of the Social Security Amendment Bill. The Minister outlined in detail tho provisions of the measure, stressing the fact that it was designed to bring about uniformity of pension payments. Tho Minister of Health, Mr Fraser, dealing Math the maternity service section of the Bill, said some of the clauses therein wore purely of , a machinery nature, but the most important ones related to the arrangement made between the B.M.A. and the Government. The former organisation had strangely objected to the making of personal contracts and had asked for a collective contract. This had been done, although an arrangement so far as fees wore concerned had not been arrived at. There was provision in the Bill for arbitration on contracts, and if any doctor did not feel he could take part in the scheme he could contract out of it. Mr Holland said the House would welcome the arrangement which had been arrived at between the Government and the B.M.A. The members of the Opposition _ had always _ been against regimentation, but in this instance a voluntary arrangement had been arrived at, and no one in his right senses would oppose tho measure implementing that agreement. Mr Nordmeyer said a lot of people would regret that tho full medical benefits in the general practitioner scheme had Hot been put into operation. People had been led to expect a general practitioner scheme since the social security proposals had first been brought forward. They had the right to expect it, and they must deplore the attitude of the B.M.A. on the matter. Mr Jull: Won’t they also deplore paying for monetary benefits which they have not received? Mr Nordmeyer: “Yes, perhaps. But perhaps the honourable member can influence his medical friends in the matter.” The public, he continued, were entitled to free medical service, and if the medical profession did not agree and if the Government was not prepared to force them to change thoir attitude, the Government in justice and fairness must give consideration to remission of a portion of the taxation. If it did not, it would practically amount to taking money under false pretences. Opposition interjections: We have been tolling you that for a long time. Mr Nordmeyer continued that if the Government wished to compel the medical men to come behind the scheme legislation would be necessary, and lie asked if the Opposition would be prepared to support it. The Government might be forced to take a stronger line with tho medical profession. Tho public was entitled to the benefits, and the Government would be failing in its duty unless it took stops to see that the people got full benefits, to which they were entitled. Mr Jull said the Minister’s attitude Was more likely to bring about a more favourable set of conditions than the fiery cross methods of the member for Oamaru and some of his friends.

Dr M'Millan said the recruiting of men for the special military force had given a striking illustration of the state of health of the people of New Zealand. Of the first 6,000 men who enlisted, 47 per cent, were temporarily unfit—that Was to say, they were suffering from some curable condition, and this despite the fact that they were the fittest in the Dominion. It showed that they had been denying themselves medical attention, and a free medical service lacing in operation, all these men would have been properly fit. The figures also showed that if 47 per cent, of the young men were suffering from some temporary illness a much higher percentage of the whole population was in need of medical attention. Discussing the Bill in the committee stages, Mr Holland said he cordially agreed with Mr Nordmeyer’s remark's that if a general practitioner service wore not provided money was being taken from tho people by false pretences. He hoped the Minister of Finance would read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. Ho commended Mr Nordmoyer for his frankness, and hoped that the Government would put matters right. Mr Fraser said ho had no objection to people making themselves-into munition workers for tho Opposition—(Opposition laughter) but for very weighty and important reasons he Wanted the Bill to be enacted by both Houses to-day. Mr Atmoro thought it was time that the Government took steps to bring the doctors into line, or, if they would not do so,- to get doctors who would. The Bill passed all stages, and the House adjourned at 1 p.m.