NO DECISION YET

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 456, 14 June 1937, Page 6

NO DECISION YET

HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME Statements Pure Conjecture Press Association— Copyright. . Auckland, June 13. “Practically all the statements which have been made so far concerning the Government’s proposals for a national health insurance scheme are pure conjecture,” said the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, in an interview to-day. “I have noticed several reports in —e newspapers, most of them emanating from Christchurch, but investigations into the whole matter are still far from being finalised and accordiingly these reports must not be regarded as authoritative.”

It was pointed out to Mr Fraser that one statement: even went as far as to estimate the possible annual cost of the scheme at £3,500,000 and to suggest that the sum might be raised by additional wages and income tax of 7d ip the pound. “No decision has yet been reached regarding the scope of the scheme,” Mr Fnaser said. “We have been engaged for months now in examining all aspects of health insuurance. Any statements' purporting to predict the scope of the scheme and details ot its finances are entirely premature anw carry no suggestion of authority.”