NOT ACCEPTABLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1941, Page 6

NOT ACCEPTABLE

9 TO MEDICAL PROFESSION AMENDED SOCIAL SECURITY BILL STATEMENT ISSUED BY B.M.A. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “The profession considers that the Bill still creates at least two features which render it entirely unacceptable to the profession,” says a statement on the Social Security Amendment Bill issued by the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association yesterday. “The first of the two features is the fixation of the basic fee by the Act of Parliament, instead of by an independent tribunal having the power to hear representations from the parties concerned and having power from time to time to alter and amend such fees in accordance wiin changed conditions. Such procedure is known to be followed in all other cases of fixation of wages, prices,- and so on. “The other feature which is utterly repugnant to the profession is the amended form of clause 9a, which still debars the profession from that access to the law courts which hitherto has been the inalienable right of every member of the community. “While these features remain, the Bill continues to oe unacceptable to the profession.” “HIGHER BRIBES” DR H. M. WILSON'S VIEW. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) October 1. In a statement this afternoon Dr H. M. Wilson, president of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, said: “The Government is now satisfied that the public in this country will nor tolerate coercion of the medical profession and so it has decided to offer higher bribes to entice the doctors into the web —that is, a State medical monopoly. “I would be failing in my duty if I did not protest with all my might against this bartering of the health of the people. The profession hitherto has saved itself by its own exertion and constancy. It should now, more than ever, insist that there is only one solution (not bigger fees) and that solution is to leave the question to a well-chosen non-pojitical body. “The Government has shown by the frequent failure of its plans that it really does not understand the problem. It is approaching it too much from the political side at the expense of the medical. Surely it is now evident to the Government and to the public that this important problem cannot be settled by Father Christmas technique." WELLINGTON PROTEST MR FRASER TO RECEIVE DEPUTATION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Mr Will Appleton, convener of the Citizens’ Protest Committee, has been advised that the Prime Minister will receive a deputation from his committee on Friday morning. It will be recalled that this organisation recently sponsored a largely-attended meeting of citizens in the Wellington Town Hall when the Social Security Amendment Bill was strongly criticised.