NOT ON STRIKE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 May 1939, Page 6

NOT ON STRIKE

STATEMENT BY B.M.A. DOCTORS DOING THEIR WORK AS USUAL. CONFERENCE WITH MINISTER . PENDING. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The following official statement by the Canterbury division of the British Medical Association was issued today, in reply to statements made by Dr D. G. McMillan at a public meeting in the Christchurch South electorate on Wednesday evening:— “Dr McMillan knows that a conference has been arranged with the Minister for May 29. Any public discussion in .the meantime must prejudice the outcome. Doctors are not on strike. Their work is proceeding as usual, including all honorary work in public hospitals. If they are to be classed as strikers, any body of men still working and negotiating for terms must also be classed as strikers. There are no political associations in the attitude of the B.M.A. Similar opposition would be shown to any Government bringing forward such a scheme. The B.M.A. proposes that a ‘complete’ service, including specialists, X-ray, consultants and so on should be provided for all those on £5 a week or less. This implies a means test, which the Government has refused to consider, and yet a stringent means test is being applied for sickness benefits. Workers now find, if they wish t<s obtain' sickness benefits, that they can receive nothing for the first week and to obtain anything they have to submit to the most searching inquiry. This excludes many workers from benefits. The B.M.A. believes in a free choice between doctor and patient. Under a cash bonus scheme, on the lines of the National Provident Fund, this will be possible. Under a contract system it will not be possible, as many doctors, including all specialists, will avoid the contract.”