MEDICAL SERVICES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 October 1941, Page 6

MEDICAL SERVICES

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER PROTESTS HELD JUSTIFIED. MR FRASER’S REJOINDER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. “We feel that the very fact that the Government found it necessary to introduce vital amendments to the Bill shows that the public protests made in various parts of the Dominion have been more than justified,” declared Mr W. Appleton, who headed a deputation representing the recent citizens’ protest meeting against the Social Security Amendment Bill to the PrimeMinister (Mr Fraser) this morning. Mr Fraser,’ in reply, remarked that the amendments would have been made had there been no meetings of protest. He added that it was gratifying to know that Whatever differences of opinion there might be regarding details, there were ho differences of opinion in regard to the need for proper medical services. OBJECTIONS STAND DECISION OF WELLINGTON DOCTORS. DEMANDS BY B.M.A. NOT MET. WELLINGTON, This Day. Despite the amendments in the Social Security Bill, the Wellington division of the B.M.A. last night decided unanimously to continue its opposition to the Bill. Dr. Shirer, president of the division, stated today that the amendments failed to meet the objection previously raised to the scheme that the Bill did nothing to improve the health of the people. Even as amended, it still amounted to a-socialis-ation of the profession. No account had been taken of the views of men on active service. The Bill denied the professioh the Eight, to which each citizen was entitled, of access to the courts. The division still considered that a scheme adapted to the needs of the community should be investigated by a commission, independent of political control. “The division desires to make it quite clear to the public that the association has at no time resisted the Bill oil pecuniary grounds,” said Dr. Shirer. It has concerned itself with the above principles only. The utterances . of certain members of the Government in the present debate would suggest that, were fees high enough, the profession would gladly accept any legislation produced. That is a complete misrepresentation of the association’s attitude.”

Until a medical services scheme was introduced embodying the principles mentioned, Dr. Shirer stated, the association’s stand would remain unchang,ed.