B.M.A. & THE LODGES

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2138, 2 May 1914, Page 13

B.M.A. & THE LODGES

AN INTERESTIKO POSITION 7 . (By Aaeooiatlon.V Auckinndj May 1, A rather interesting posilion seems to have cropped up i-egimtoi-g tho : recent decision of the British Medical Association not to pass for mcfthcrahip' to friendly societies any person earning nioro than £200 pef .year. If this resolution is put into effect, many societieswill he seriously conccrncd, for it would mean a radical change in the matter of membership. Most of thelodges boast as prominent members leading public menjaf the city, (Those lodges affiliated with the Medical institute havo their own doctofS, and so aro not greatly co-Beerne-d, but other orders outsido this ttrgntiisation who depend entirely on B.M.A. doctors would bo seriously affeefced. Na-teble amoiigst these is the Foresters Order. Tho matter has recently been- engaging the serious attention of the Council of tho Friendly Societies' Dispensary and Medical Institute. Because of tho troublo with tho B.M.A. twelve yi?&rs ago various friendly societies dccitled to band together, and form aji organwa* tion which would bring doctors to-Auck-land for tho cspecial use of its members and to establish a dispensary. This movement was successful, and is now on a very sound financial footing. It has a membership of neatly 4000, employs tho services of fivo medical men, and shows al profit of 7J per cent, on the dispensary. In this -organisation it is suggested tliat tho lodges now affected by the B.M.A. .decision should seek refuge. Theso lodges include the Foresters and sections of the Oddfellows and Rechabites. The problem which exercises the mind of the Medical Institute, however, is in regard to the terms on which they should now ba admitted, presuming that they seek to affiliate with tho organisation which is uow firmly established, bat which in the beginning had many trials to face, and which theso Orders then d'-clmed to assist. Dr. Carrick Robertson, secretary of tlio Auckland branch- of the B-51.A., said it had been decided that a nt-odel agreement, which. Woflld incklartalty affect tho question ®f salary in regard to applicants for,, lodge membership should come into operation all over New Zealand. Thero were details to bo first of all arranged by t-lio Wellingtort executive, but tho now agreement would come into operation shortly.