NEXT MOVE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 May 1939, Page 7

NEXT MOVE

DOCTORS AND SOCIAL SECURITY STATE MEDICAL SERVICE TO BE ESTABLISHED. IF OPPOSITION PERSISTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH., May 1(>. “If the medical profersic'n. under the leadership of the British Medical Association, is determined to persist in its opposition, then the Government will have no option but to alter the whole basis of the service and to proceed, reluctantly and regretfully, with the establishment of a State medical service to administer the benefits of, the Social Security Act.” This statement was made at the Addington School this evening by the Minister'of Health, Mr Fraser, at the Labour Party's opening meeting in the Christchurch South by-election campaign. “Their offer of co-operation bears a remarkable resemblance to dictation by a minority to the majority of the people and to the elected Government of New Zealand.

“I hope we will be able to arrange something, because co-operation >s aetter than fighting, but that is the position of the Government," said the Minister.

“The Government is pledged to institute the medical benefits under the Social Security scheme. An annual amount, which is at least equivalent to the combined annual incomes of the medical profession, has been estimated and will be allocated for the purpose. It is recognised that a State medical service would cause considerable disorganisation among the medical profession of the Dominion, and, because of these likely consequences, is not to be lightly undertaken, but I think it is only fair that the inevitable result of a policy of non-co-operation, opposition and consequent obstruction, should be pointed out at this stage.” The Minister said that, while the number of maternity hospitals and obstetric nurses, who had signed maternity benefits contracts was very satisfactory, it was evident that the medical profession, as a whole, was determined, at least for the time being, on a policy of non-co-operation. The attitude of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association raised certain important issues, which must be faced by the Government.