The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1915. MEDICAL MEN AND ETIQUETTE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 October 1915, Page 2

The Chronicle PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1915. MEDICAL MEN AND ETIQUETTE

An old-standing source of trouble ill -New Zealand was Ukc-iissetl in Parliament last week, when a question was asked by Mr l<'leteller, M.l'., concerning the Medical Board ui New Zealand. There luive been two camps amongst doctors in the dominion during the last three or tour years, and in odd cases there have been relu,sals oi coiisuitatioii.s by members oi the association who have been approached by doctors outside ol that body. The question put ';o Lhe Minister was in the loliowing terms: Whether he will introduce a bill to amend the Medical Practitioners Act, IUM, in the interests of the welfare o! the general public oi New Zealand, and insert a clause to the ell'ect that any applicant lor registration as a medical practitioner in New Zealand, il his application has been rejected bv the Medical Board, shall be entitled 1.0 sit lor any prescribed examination, and 0:1 passing such- examination, provided that ho be ol' good moral character aiul repute, he shall be entitled to registration Y (2) Whether lie will insert a clause in tho amending Bill making it compulsory lor any medical practitioner, registered and practising in New Zealand to attend in consultation when ,o required by any duly registered practitioner, provided that a fee of not less than £1 Is be tendered for rsucli consultation, failing which that lie be | struck off the medical register and be not allowed to practice for a period of six months? (3). \i bother lie will include in the amending bill a. clause for the widening of the scope of the University system by more fully assisting all Universities and Medical Schools for the local youth of New Zealand who desire to follow a medical course. and, lurther, to nationalize our medical system? The member who aslied the question added the loliowing printed note to his query: The provision in the lirst question was made in the prevous acts, and there does not appear to be any reason lor its deletion. As regards the fcecond question, it is an acknowledged iact amongst the medical faculty in New Zealand that cases have ocoinrred in different parts of the Dominion wherein it is positively detrimental for a medical man to assort his independence of the British Medical Association. The aforesaid association having formed itself locally into a ring or trust, and having practically insisted on an agreement with a numerous section of the public that the association will only consult with tlio.se eligible for membership to it, is thereby a menace to the well-being of public lite, and' the free practise of the medical profession. Referring to the third question, nationalization in a small way lias proved a success, as the Ota go University of "New Zealand lias the faculty of granting medical degrees, and the scope of practice could be enlarged uy providing extra and up-to-date facilities for the research students in the public hospitals of the Dominion. Many very capable doctors owe their position to-day to the excellent methods and facilities alforded by the Ota go University which is practically a State institution. Auckland, Christchiirch and Wellington should receive their lair share' of consideration in these respects.

Tlie Hon. Mr .Russell (Minister of Internal Affairs) replied.—(l) I am of opinion that there is no necessity to bring in legislation as suggested by the honourable member, as t-lio Act provides ample powers for any qualified person •who has been refused registration to appeal to the Supreme Court. (2)., The question regarding consultation is one upon which I hold pronounced views. My opinion is that no medical practitioued is justified in refusing to meet ? n consultation another practitioner, provided a reasonable fee is tendered for his services. This remark applies with even greater force to small towns, where practitioners arc necessarily Tew 'n

•number. Medical men enjoy tlie protection of tlie law, and slhould regard themselves—and I believo mostly do regard themselves—as servants of the

public, whose services should unden all circumstances be available. During fchu recess 1 propose to make enquiries on this matter, and, it necessity exists, 1 will consider the desirability of dealing with it next session. (3). Ido not regard it as practicable to establish medical schools at all the University Colleges in the Dominion. The principle of specialization, under which the u'tugo University College is" specialized as a nietlical institution is working well, und 1 think it would be a mistake, at any rate for some years to come, to establish other medical schools in the Dominion. (4). The proposal to nationalize our medical system opens up too vast a scope to be at present within the scope of practical politics.