DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 97, 19 December 1912, Page 2

DOMINION TELEGRAMS.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES’ DOCTORS

(Per Press Association.)

Invercargill, December XJ. The doctors of Invercargill, acting in unanimity, have sent in their resignations of their positions as lodge doctors of the town’s friendly societies. This action lias arisen ae a result ol the falling through of negotiations which, for nine months or more, have, been conducted between the parties. The doctors desire that their agreement with the societies he brought into line with those existing elsewhere in New Zealand, and that major operations be not included as forming part of a lodge surgeon’s duties. The present agreement between the friendly societies was made thirty years ago. The crux of the present dispute is that medical men wish operations tc ho paid for, and this the lodges have refused to concede. The result is that the lodge surgeons gave three months’ notice. The agreement which at present obtains is, from a medical man’s point of view, decidedly inferior to that existing in any other part of the Dominion.

VXREGI ST EE El) BAE M A IDS.

■Wellington, December 17. A legal opinion on the Barmaids’ Registration Amendment 'Act of last session is that the Act is just as faulty as the measure it amended, in that while it purports to prevent the employment of unregistered barmaids in private bars, it fails entirely to do so. This failure is said to be due to the fact that no such place a private bar is known to the law. Recently the secretary of the Hotel Employees’ Federation wrote to the 'Minister of Justice, stating that unregistered girls were still employed in private bars. The Minister was asked either to put the Act into operation or, if it were really defective, to have the position tested. Mr Hei'dman has just replied that the Commissioner of Police, has been instructed to place the whole matter before the Crown Law Officers for consideration and report.