MEDICAL SERVICES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1941, Page 6

MEDICAL SERVICES

BILL BEFORE THE HOUSE ATTITUDE OF B.M.A. MATTER OF PRINCIPLE INVOLVED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. In a telephone interview from Nelson Dr. Jamieson, chairman of the National Health Committee of the British Medical Association, said he had not seen the exact terms of the Bill as it appeared in the House of Representatives but he imagined it was quite similar to the draft Bill, which was discussed between the Minister of Health and the Association during the week. He said: “I have no other comment to make than to say that the Bill extends far beyond the question of medical services alone, because the principle on which the Bill is framed, in my opinion, strikes at the liberty of the subject. The Bill, as I understand it, takes away the right of private general medical practice. That seems to be the very fundamental question. Last Wednesday the following direct question was put to the Minister: ‘ls it the intention that the right and freedom, to make individual and personal private arrangements should no longer be permitted?’ The Minister replied: ‘That is the intention. It is not the intention that those personal and private arrangements should continue.’ “In view of this frank expression of' intention it appears to me,’’ said Dr. Jamieson, “that it is high time that everyone, irrespective of whatsoever creed or party, rose in protest against this infringement of their rights.”