GOVERNMENT & B.M.A.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 May 1939, Page 8

GOVERNMENT & B.M.A.

health minister agrees TO CONFER POSITION AS TO MATERNITY BENEFITS. CASH PAYMENT OPPOSED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day.. The Prime Minister (Mr Savage), in accordance with the request of th*. Minister of Health (Mr Fraser) made available for publication today Mr Fraser’s reply to the British Medical Association’s letter of May 15. Mr Fraser says that in accordance with the suggestion, he would be prepared to meet representatives of the association on May 29, at a time to be arranged, with a view to discussing medical services in relation to maternity benefits. Owing to his absence from Wellington, Mr Fraser regrets that he is unable to name an earlier date. In order to facilitate discussions, he would be pleased to have a statement setting out in what particular respects the British Medical Association committee regards as unsatisfactory the terms and conditions of contract offered to medical practitioners. He would like it to.be clearly understood that he did not, of course, accept the conclusions expressed in the British Medical Association’s letter. If it would assist matters so far as the Medi ■ cal Association was concerned, he would be agreeable that, pending his return to Wellington representatives of the association should commence discussions with Dr McMillan and Mr Keisenberg. Dr Shore (Director-General of Health) was. he understood, not returning to Wellington until May 27. when he would be available to take part in the discussions.

Mr Savage stated that the Government’s immediate concern was to see the benefits in full operation as soon as possible. It was obviously .necessary that the association should indicate the particular respects in which it regards as unsatisfactory the conditions of contract and regulations. He was quite sure that if any complaint of onerous or unreasonable provisions could be substantiated, the Minister would make the necessary modifications. On the other hand, it would no doubt be recognised by the association that a proposal merely for payment from the .und of a cash benefit to the patient, without reaard to the adequacy of the services afforded by a doctor and giving him entire liberty to charge any additional fees he liked, would be quite at variance with the Government’s objective.