OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1941, Page 6

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

DR. PARR’S OPINIONS (To the Editor.) Sir, —I feel compelled to protest against the gross misrepresentation of my opinions as reported in the public meeting held last night. The address referred to was an unbiased analysis of possible future developments m medical and nursing services. I did not say “the best medical system in the world was that in Russia.” Anyway there is no connection whatever between the Russian system and the present New Zealand Government proposal. Russia has a salaried State medical service. There are regular hours of work, encouragement to improve one’s knowledge and skill, and opportunities of advancement—all conspicuously lacking in the present Government plans. Private practice is not forbidden in Russia. A salaried State medical service is a system worthy of consideration, along with many other possible systems, but any innovation should be gradual and depend for its future development on its successful operation and demonstration of merit. The system we have should not be slain with totalitarian violence.

It is a trick of political controversy to deceive the people by what, I believe, is known as “The Shift.” It goes like this: “Dr. Parr sees merit in a salaried State medical service.” “Russia has a salaried State medical service." “Russia is a Socialistic country.” “New Zealand is Socialistic country.” Therefore “Dr. Parr is an ardent support of the New Zealand Government’s proposal.” The fact that the Government’s proposal is not a salaried service is covered up in this false train of confused thought. Apart from its gross affront to the individual liberty of both patient and doctor, the present scheme would penalise every virtue and reward none. It would encourage shoddy, careless work, pandering to the medicine habit, and complacent certification, at enormous public cost, while conscientious care with its cost of time and effort would languish and expire. It is so wide open to abuse on both sides that it would demoralise a company of angels. I have no wish to enter into political arguments but absolutely repudiate the opinions imputed to me. —Yours, etc,, T. L. PARR. Masterton, September 16,