THE MEDICAL SQUABBLE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2745, 13 April 1916, Page 6

THE MEDICAL SQUABBLE

Sir, —Would you kindly allow me a little space in the columns of your valuable paper to place a few "important phases of tile issuo'before the general public who may be possibly unaware of the salient features which tho mcdiC:il profession in their interview with the Minister, discreetly,, in their own interests, left untouched, or coloured certain ones to the particular hue of the Wellington Branch of the British Medical Association.

The following points which I bring ■forward will, I think, satisfy your readers that the contentions that they are

underpaid at los. per annum tis a practically initial charge, and that they,' have risen their demand to 60 per cent, ' of an increase are quite unworthy of a'' body who has a clear and just case. The'doctors severed their' connection, with the lodges in a proper manner, by written resignation, giving three months', notice. After several -conferences, which were most amicably con* ducted by both sides, the doctors refused to act as lodge surgkms- under 245. per annum. Well, that ended the matter. The lodges of Wellington, which included Oddfellows (Dr. Line's statement to the contrary is incorrect), decided to pool their medical funds and take the risk of paying for actual medical attendance given by doctors, with the result that the current market price ivas paid and the funds show a considerable credit balance. This is an irrefutable proof that the doctors under the old lodge received amounts for attendance at the reduced price which the members never received.

The, actual facts concerning the attendance question are: (1) The, majority of the lodge members never call on a doctor; (2) of the minority the majority visit the. surgery where the consultation is of the'most cursory nature and are'met with repeat prescriptions. The ratio of members whom the dootors. visit is exceedingly small. Another impression. I would wish to dispel with the general public is that- the 15s. per annum did not/include the entire medical service of the doctors. Its general run of children's 'operations—, and they are many, including the removing of polypi, adenoid growths, and tonsils, etc.—are all paid as extras; accouchements are top price, £4 45., and the many female operations are all extra perquisites to the medical banking account. The fact is that for the los. per annum the case of those who needed attention were for stomach, heart, and liver . tonics/ ' i 3 ? mac ' o an unwitting slip when he is stated to have mentioned that accouchements were £2 2s. under the old agreement, and the deputation seemed to make it the main p'eg to hang their hats on. The price was £3 3s. rrior to the dispute many cases of dis< satisfaction existed at the special lodge treatment meted out by certain ' surgeons, but it was thought advisable to leave those matters alone pending an . agreement being effected. The contention of Dr. Gibbs that the position of thu worker was much better in the present war exploitation period than previously is highly amuiinv io those of us who have to push hard through life's battle. It Is as ludicrous, as Dr. Gilmer's contention when the Hon. Mr. Hanan cornered him with tho uncontroverted statements that the Dunedin and Invercargill societies were beW charged initially 18s. per annum, and he turned and said that Wellington was much harder'to work. Any of your readers who know Dunedin can easily ?trV^ a poor case Dr. Gilmer put up* \\ ellington is an easy place to work, with its wood-blocking - arid excellent m . a, n .rpads and streets, a-s compared with the quagmires of other cities. We ; have had clearly exemplified that the : public of New Zealand are at the mercy i of a certain close corporation, . whioh' i Parliament'and people are at present ini capable of dealing with. There ,is'hd i regulation of their charges. There is no i method or! system of dealing with them', t They have a law unto themselves, like 1 the'-Modes lind Persians, and -unlike I other unions they work under no award. They fix their own prices, and unlike the legal- profession' their costs cannot bo taxed by an independent authority, nor any unworthy or incompetent, member removed from tho roll. We do hear now and then of the New Zealand Law Society taking action, but doctors never. Is it because all their treatment has been absolutely unassailable, and that. tho 8.M.A., and more especially the, New Zealand branch, consists of the creme de la creme of the'world's medical faculty? This is a question the public can ask itself::and' answer;-'- The' Hon. Mr. Russell knows the position only too well. He has a nephew in practice" as a doctor. But with all his reply to Dr. Gilmer we are wondering , how much ia in his statements, which read so well, and whether he has the courage to introduce the_ necessary legislation to putf ■ this profession on similar lines to others.It is very generally understood that the position was pretty well decided to bring about a 21s. fee before tho conference took place. i . ' Evidence can be produced that certain doctors have , refused, to treat lodge patients, despite the denial given at the conference. ' Will tho Hon., Mr. Russell call for it? And what steps is he prepared to take when it is supplied by reputable citizens of this 'jitypi Trusting to be favoured with • tho insertion of these few facts,—l am, etc., 1 A'LODGE SECRETARY.