FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2822, 13 July 1916, Page 9

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

AMOUNTS PAID TO DOCTORS. In collection with the controversy between the Friendly Societies and tho i medical men, the iollowing question was addressed to the Minister of Public Health yesterday, in the House of Representatives, by Mr. R. Fletcher:— "(1) Whether he is aware of the enormous amount which has been paid to the doctors of New Zealand by. the Friendly Societies of the Dominion, from 1887 till last year, as initial medical fees?. The amount, as quoted by the Minister in charge of Friendly Societies, the Hon. Jlr. llanan, is ,£1,162,105." (Note—This amount does not-represent the whole, as it is freely conceded by medical men" that the fees which they received for operations, accouchcments, etc., apart from their lodge agreements, amount to an excess of the fees received. This would give. a fairly approximate amount of over two and a half million pouuds.) "(2) Whether he is aware of the fact that the Friendly Societies of New Zealand, tor a like period, bavo-paid out tho sum of .£1,261,933 as sick pay to their members, .and the sum of .£237,650 has been paid out as death allowances for a similar period." (Note.—The above figures indisputably prove that the Friendly Societies of the Dominion have amply justified tho fullest recognition which the Parliament of New Zealand can give them in any reasonable request they may make for the future welfare and development of the great philanthropic work they have carried on for years so Successfully. It is accordingly desired that the present National Cabinet will amend tho Act so that tho societies may be protected against any interference with its medical officers or other officers in the carrying oil of a system of thrift which has unquestionably, on the above' figures, saved the various Governments at the very least an amount of close on iS2,7o0,000l)