DOCTORS AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1694, 10 March 1913, Page 4

DOCTORS AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

$ TROUBLE AT LYT'fELTON. (By Telegraph—Press Association. 1 > Christchurch, March U. Matters between tlic Lyttelton doctorsand the friendly societies at that port have not been working smoothly. At tho coniniencelnent of last month U'O sociehcs advertised for applications for a position, and from eleven applicants, Dr. btewart, of the Wellington Hospital, was appointed. On February 128 last, ITiday, nil advertisement appeared in the Chrietchurch papers, warning medical practitioners against applying for any appointment advertised lor by the friendly societies of Lyttelton, and adding thut it would be to their advantage to communicate in the first instance with tho secretary of tho British Medical Association nt Christchurch.- Tho dispute has arisen over the demand by previous medical officers for an increase in the fees from Hs. to 21b. per each financial member per annum, and for accouchcmcnts from A 1 lis. Gd. to £3 3s. The societies are will'ng to make tho fees, Hs. and .£2 2s. lively, with the right of privnto practice, and a guaranteed minimum of X3OO per annum, Olio of tho medical officers interviewed stated that the matters was onq for the British Medical Association, which, he understood, was going to take up the question of payment of . doctors by the New Zealand friendly societies,