ALLEGED BOYCOTT BY DOCTORS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 441, 12 November 1908, Page 2

ALLEGED BOYCOTT BY DOCTORS.

Strong Comment.

Auckland, November xo. The Star publishes some particulars that it has gathered re- ■ garding* the boycott alleged to have been established by the local branch of the British Medical Association against certain doctors (who are not members of the Association) in connection with the dispute regarding the terms for attendance on members of friendly societies. Various instances of alleged refusals on the part of the B.M. Association doctors to consult with the boycotted doctors, and also refusals to attend patients in conjunction with the medical men who are said to be under the ban, are given by the Star. The following is among the principal cases cited, but it is stated that the initials given do not indicate the names of the doctors concerned. “ Dr. C. (boycotted); attending a confinement in a suburban district where medical help is not easy to get, finds the case seriously complicated. Late at night Dr. C, goes to Dr. M. (8.M.A.), and asks him to come round and assist with the patient. Then thej following extraordinary colloquy ensues, Dr. M. standing at his window and Dr. C. below on the street. (The words are said to be substantially those used by the two doctors): — “ ‘ Dr. M.,’ says the boycott doctor, ‘ I appeal to you to c and assist me in a dangerous ci it is too late and too far from! city to get other help.’ * “ ‘ Dr. C.,’ replies the B. doctor, ‘ I would willingly® and held you, but, as you Mm I am prevented by the ruhv b.m.a.’ ik m “Dr. M.’, says the bJB J doctor, ‘ this is a gency ; the woman is in WM ' and I beg you to give me sistauce.’ “ ‘ Dr. C.,’ answers the a. man, ‘ I am sorry, but I ) here a letter Irom the BT summoning me to appear b it to answer for my conduct assisting at an operation in wl one of the boycotted doctors „ part, therefore I cannot come. fHLv “ ' Dr. M.,’ says the boyc( T doctor, ‘ I will give you wT \ pounds out ot my own pocke you will come now’; but B. A. doctor, to do him jus, would not take the money, am finally agreed to assist Dr. with the patient next day, conditionally on his getting leave from the B.M.A. on the ground c £ » emergency. “ Dr, C. has thtrefoie, to content with this promise, goes back to I.jc paient tctfflHßb what can be done tor her and safety. Next day, earl the morning, Dr. M. rings Y VC. , and asks to be release? 1 his promise. He informs* that he has been notified 9 must not, as a members 8.M.A., assist an tor. Dr. C. at once from his promise, and after siderable delay is able to find ' v another doctor (boycotted) to assist with the patient. The Star, in commenting editorially on the subject, says: “The B.M.A. may rest assured that the case against it will not go by default. The position is too serious, and the principles involved are too important to permit the general public to ignore this boycott and its-effects upon the wellbeing of the community, for the 8.M.A., through Its determination to enforce its will upon all its members, has. compelled them to carry the boycott to positively unendurable lengths. We say without fear of contradiction that no trade union in the colonies has ever gone so far to render a boycott effective, or has ever in so doing displayed such a gross and selfish disregard for the public interest as this close cor-. poration of professional men, which claims as a body to be actuated solely by humanitarian motives and philanthropic sentiments, and we warn the B.M.A. that as it has ventured to transgress the limits within which even industrial disputes have hitherto been conducted here, it must not be surprised if it finds the usual remedies for industrial disorder invoked against it. We presume that the B.M.A. would not look forward with equanimity to the enforcemement of an award of the Arbitration Court against its members, or to the regulation of their scale of charges by the State. We have no desire to see such a change brought about, but a democratic people may be trusted to find their own remedies for any form of social or professional tyranny.”