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Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1925, Page 2

Tjik effect of national health insurance on friendly societies has been investigated by ])r. F. L. Hoffman, who is well known as statistician of the Prudeiitial Insurance Company of America. He bases his arguments on the experience of friendly s">riri in Great Britain as regards national health insurance and on publications explaining operation and administration of the British scheme. Apart from the decadence of the spirit of indepedence, and the falling away of self-reliance which the Government scheme brings about. Dr. Hoffman finds objection in the increasing cost of administration and Llie growth of red tape, which is exemplified in the increasing number of regulations and the necessity for committee decisions on matters which would be derided by executive authority wire the matter one entirely for the Iriendlv society. He finds that friendly societies have lost from their mcmljcrsliip since tbe Act went into operation; tat with widespread dissatisfaction oiicerning the admiiiislrntiiyi of medical hemlit the trend is strongly towards a Stale medical service, the basic principle of the scheme is economic, or sickness benefit instead of hygienic or medical benefit, that no attempts have neon made to utilise, collective experience for the ascertainment of local causes responsible for excesisve sickness rates, and that the scheme does not cfioctivclv reach the poorest poor; finally that the scheme gives no encouragement to voluntary thrift, but discourages voluntary efforts of friendly societies with the result: that few societies are progressing at the former rate without recourse to the practice of collecting by means of paid canvassers ami collectors. Formerly new members were obtained by the voluntary efforts of old members. To-day the old spirit so typical of the England of the h’lc ’nineties, when the friendly moieties had reached the highest point of their development as a moral and uplifting ■force in the lives of British wage-earn-ers, is practically dead. As to the comparative benefits under voluntary and compulsory insurance. ])r. Golfman says that the societies, when the Act went into elfeet, practically granted more to the members than they do to-day for the sumo contribution when full allowance is made for all the details which have to be taken into effect. He speaks of the hopefulness of reconciling compulsion with the highest form of altruism applied to the several efforts of the wage-earners to improve their own conditions in their own way and at their own cost. There ,-s a growing menace to democracy implied in the growth of governmental organisations practically superseding private effort and private initiative, as well as private risk in every direction.

Tnn Progress League is to be com mended on its .sustained efforts to draw nub. ]ie attention to the national asset in South Westland, and the desirability of developing that part of the conn tip There will he a good deal of spade work necessary no iloulit, but the League members are working on right lines. There is the need to demonstrate the harbor possibilities of Jackson Hay. and if the .Minister of Marine can le induced to make a personal inspection, a very practical step will he taken. At the same time it is Imped by the, presence of Canterbury representatives' to enlighten jV’blic opinion outside the district as to the possibiities of the southern territory. There is potential wealth in its timber areas, but in addition there is the land itself callable of development for dairying and increased stock raising. The Hon. Mr Anderson who is Minister of Marine, is also Minister of Mines, and it would ho a happy experience if in his latter capacity he could be induced to have the territory further investigated as to its mineral wealth. South Westland is largely unknown yet greatly promising, ami tiie projected visit should prove of great national value.