WILLING TO CONFER

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 117, 20 May 1939, Page 10

WILLING TO CONFER

MINISTER'S REPLY

CONCLUSIONS NOT ACCEPTED

tion his reply to the letter^ of. May 15 addressed by him to'the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, which has already published the letter for general mformaX° While the Minister makes it clear that he does not accept the. conclusions put forward in the association s letter, he has expressed his. willingness to meet representatives of the association with a view to discussing medical services in relation to maternity benefits under the Social Security Act. The Minister's reply, which is dated May 18, is as follows:—

I am in receipt of your letter of May 15 conveying a resolutioa on the subject of maternity benefits passed by the National Health Insurance Committee of the association and subsequently adopted by the association's full council. In accordance with the suggestion contained in your letter I would be prepared to meet representatives on the committee and of the council in my office on Monday, May 29, at a time to be arranged, with a view to discussing medical services in relation to maternity benefits. Owing to absence from Wellington, I regret I am unable to name an earlier date. In order to facilitate discussions I would be pleased to have a statement setting out in what par-

ticular respects your committee regards as unsatisfactory the terms and conditions of the contract offered to medical practitioners. I would like it to be clearly understood that I do not of course accept the conclusions expressed in "your letter. If it would assist matters so far as the association is concerned I am agreeable that, pending my return to Wellington, representatives of the association commence discussions with Dr. McMillan and Mr. Keisenberg. Dr. Shore is, I understand, not returning tb Wellington until May 27, when he would, of course, be available to take part in any discussions.

The Prime Minister went on to state that the Government's immediate concern was to see the benefits in full operation as soon as possible. It was obviously necessary that the association indicate the particular respects in which it regarded as unsatisfactory the conditions of the contract and the regulations.

Mr. Savage concluded: "I am quite sure that if any complaint of onerous or unreasonable provisions can be substantiated the Minister would make any necessary modifications. On the other hand, it will no doubt be recognised by the association that a proposal merely for the payment from the fund of a cash benefit to the patient without regard to the adequacy of the services afforded by the doctor and

giving him entire liberty to charge any additional fees he likes would be quite at variance with the Government's objective."