HEALTH SERVICE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 April 1938, Page 8

HEALTH SERVICE

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS. ATTITUDE OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. WELLINGTON, This Day. Appreciation of ’the Government’s proposals for a national health service was expressed by Mr T. E. Hogarth on behalf of the Wellington United Friendly Societies’ Medical Institute. He said he hoped the Government’s scheme would succeed, but when it was established they would have to go out of business. They had never anticipated such a comprehensive scheme and had acquired properties that would leave them with a liability of £6OOO if they closed down. As they had given a remarkably cheap service to their members for twenty-one years, they considered the Government should take their service over, as a going concern and relieve them of all liability. The Institute was prepared to co-operate to establish the national scheme, and they believed their experience would be of value. To Mr. H. S. Kyle, Mr. Hogarth said free medical, hospital and medicine benefits could be secured for' a man and his family for £2 4s 4d per year. He considered that the benefits offered by the Government’s scheme would be better, even when the extra cost was taken into account.

In reply to the chairman, Mr. Hogarth said each doctor engaged by the institute would have to panel approximately two thousand patients, but all of the members were fit when admitted. The institute took the best but the Government would have to take the sick with the healthy. The institute could not attempt that without greatly increased fees. The committee adjourned until 2.30.