DOCTORS AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 13 September 1907, Page 2

DOCTORS AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Sight. When the Legislative Council met at 2.30, the Hon. Mr Beeehan moved that the attention of the Government he called to a notice "in the British Meilic.'iii Journal of 13tli July, 1007, circulating in New Zealand, to the following effect:— "APPOINTMENTS 'VACANT. • "WAitNING NOTICE, "Medical practitioners are requested not to apply for appointments "in connection with clubs, or other forms

of contract practice in any of the towns or districts mentioned in the following table; or for any of tho poor law and other appointments named, without first communicating with the honorary secretary of the divison or branch whoso name is given in the second column of the taWe, or with the medical secretary of the British Medical Association, fi Catherine st., Strand, W.G. "The name in the second column is Dr Tracy Inglis, hon. secretary Auckland division New Zealand branch, "Kimell," Ponsonby road, Auckland." Mr Beehan said this had Been going "n 'or the past four or five years. He went into the history oF dispute between friendly societies and the British Medical Assopiation, and oxplained that tho latter had*'ostracised medical men for tniklng a position in the friendly societies' dispensary and Medical Institute. The membership was 800, and flic snlar offered £4OO, and certain fees. The Association considered that would involve attendance at the rate of 10's a mejmher, and notified that anyj mcHical

man accepting it would be oatracisieMf by that body. Mr .Beehan pointed out tliat only one" to two per cent of the menvbers would require medical attendance, and ho urged that Bometfiing should be done to protect friendly societies from the attitude taken up by the Medical Association. The Attorney-General said this was a matter over which the Government had no control, and it would be a. dangerous thing for the State to step in and by coercive law interfere with those who were trying to make the best bargain possible. The ventilation of the subject would doubtless be beneficial, and personally he would do his best lo overcome the friction between the two bodies. The motion was carried,