SOCIAL SECURITY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 September 1939, Page 6

SOCIAL SECURITY

MATERNITY & OTHER BENEFITS. GOVERNMENT & B.M.A. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) VZELLINGTON, This Day. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 a.m. today. Moving the second reading of the Social Security Amendment Bill, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Parry) outlined the provisions of the measure, stressing the fact that it was designed to bring about uniformity of pension payments. The Minister of Health (Mr Fraser) dealing with the maternity service section of the Bill, said the most important clauses in this section dealt with the arrangements made between the British Medical Association and the Government. The former organisation had strongly 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 were concerned had not been arrived at. The 8.M.A., continued Mr Fraser, was opposed to a general practitioner service as much as ever, but negotiations were still proceeding. Mr S. G. Holland welcomed the arrangement which had been reached between the B.M.A. and the Government. Mr A. H. Nordmeyer said a great number of people would deeply regret that a full medical and general practitioner service had not been given under the social security scheme, as had been promised. The Government might be compelled to take a stronger line with the medical profession on the subject. He said the public was entitled to the service and the Government would be failing in its duty unless it took steps to see that the public received the full benefit to which it was entitled. Discussing the bill in the committee stages, Mr Holland congratulated Mr Nordmeyer on his frankness. Mr Fraser said he had no objection to people making themselves into munition workers for the Opposition (Opposition laughter), but for very weighty and important reasons ho wanted the Bill enacted by both Houses that day.

Mr H. Atmore thought it was time the Government took steps to bring the doctors into line, or if they would not do so, to. get doctors who would. The Bill was passed through all its stages and the mouse adjourned at 1 p.m. _____