SECRET BALLOT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 August 1938, Page 6

SECRET BALLOT

DOCTORS VOTE ON HEALTH SCHEME NINETY-FIVE PER CENT OPPOSED. STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT OF B.M.A. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. An announcement regarding the attitude of members of the medical profession to the Government’s health insurance proposals was made by Dr J. P. S. Jamieson, president of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association. Dr Jamieson said that in view' of the nature of the Government’s proposals and its consistent attitude in completely rejecting all advice tendered by the association, as representing ninetyeight per cent of the medical profession practising in New Zealand, a secret ballot was taken among members of the association in June last, in order to ascertain individual views as to which scheme they approved —that of the Government or that advanced by the association. “Members of the association,” said Dr Jamieson, “were left to vote entirely as they , wished, and were in no way influenced by the executive through any statement for or against either scheme being enclosed with the ballot paper. The result was that, of 913 returns received, 45 (that is less than five per cent) were in favour of the Government’s scheme. Under these circumstances, the association cannot assure the Government of that measure of support and co-operation which is necessary to carry out its scheme. For it is obvious that it will be foisted on the profession against its conviction, and therefore the Government can hardly complain of - the result.

“It will be interesting to see what the Government proposes to do in the circumstances,” said Dr Jamieson. “Incidentally,. I notice that the Rev A. H. Nordmeyer, chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee, who has been acting as Government spokesman, is reported to have stated at a meeting in Newtown (Wellington) that doctors who were ready to co-operate would have their names published and that a person could select his doctor and would have a right to change every three months. Does this mean that the Government hopes to split the medical profession on the subject,, expecting that some will act under the scheme and that the remainder will be obliged to come in ultimately, whether they wish to oi - not? If so, then such a policy on the Government’s part must come as a painful shock to the majority of its supporters, who stand for the principle of collective bargaining. As far as the British Medical Association is concerned, I feel confident in assuring the Government that its members are just as loyal to their association as those of any other organisation, and when the time arrives the five per cent who voted in favour of the Government’s proposals will be found acting with the ninetyfive per cent. Meantime, the general public may. rest assured that .the profession will continue to render its present service, which is better than that ■proposed by the Government.”

REPLY TO MINISTER

NO FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH DEPARTMENT. . CO-OPERATION NO LONGER POSSIBLE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Replying to a letter from the Minister of Health (the Hon P. Fraser) in regard to the administration of medical benefits under the social security legislation, Dr J. -P. S. Jamieson, president of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, wrote," under date August 13, that the National Health Insurance .Committee of the association had met and considered the letter and also the Bill, I He had been asked to say that in .view of the provision in. the Bill to institute a universal general practitioner service, no good purpose could be served by continuing discussionswith the Department regarding other details while this provision remained. “For two years,” Dr Jamieson wrote, “we have given our most willing assistance in advising on the best way in which a national health scheme could be instituted in New Zealand in the

best interests of the public. We regret very much indeed ; that the rejection of our proposals has forced us into a position in which we are unable to offer further co-operation. At the same time, we shall make it clear to the public that medical attention will continue to be available as in the past, and to this end we are sending a copy of this letter to the Press.”