LODGE DOCTORS.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1915, Page 2

LODGE DOCTORS.

A FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' DIFFICULTY. By Telegraph.—.Prass Association. Wellington, Nov. 30. A peculiar position, which unless a compromise is arrived at between the parties concerned, and which wiil probably result in what are known as 'io.lge doctors" ceasing to exist in Wollimiton after the end of this year, has arisen between the friendly societies and those seventeen or eighteen members of the medical profession who have been engaged in friendly society work. It appears that the present rate of levy per member of friendly societies for medical expenses is Us per year, and the doctors some time ago demanded an increase xo 24s a year. The societies contend that with between three and four thousand members the present rate is sufficient, and that doctors are amply repaid for their services; Further, they take up the at- | titude that nothing has arisen to justify the increase demanded and so they declined to pay it. , The result Is a deadlock and from to-morrow some of the lodges will be without doctors after the end of December.

The medical view of it seems to be that the present rate, was formulated some twenty years ago, when ttungs were on a very different basis from what they are to-day. It is pointed out that the cost of transit has increased and that it is unfair to expect a medical man to attend a man, who is a friendly society member, his wife, aged dependents and children under sixteen years of age for 14s a year—an amount let* than the average working family spends on picture shows and other amusements.