OBSTRUCTION ALLEGED.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20271, 13 August 1937, Page 3

OBSTRUCTION ALLEGED.

COMPLAINT FROM FORESTERS. USE OF DOCTOR’S SERVICES. Allegations that the Raglan Medical Association was obstructing the formation of a court of the Ancient Order of Foresters in that district by withholding permission for Dr. M. J. P. Kelly to act as medical officer to the proposed lodge were made in a letter received from tlie district president of the Order and secretary to Court Concord, Hamilton, Mr W. E- Jones, at yesterday's meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board. Mr Jones stated that it was desired to establish a Court of the Order at Raglan, for which four members and 25 prospective members had been secured. “Dr. Kelly is quite sympathetic towards acting for the proposed court, but lie is being obstructed by the executive of the medical association who will not grant him permission to act, which they claim is necessary before he can act,” wrote Mr Jones. “When Dr. Kelly was first approached, lie explained that lie had already the authority o> Hie association to act for another friendly society and was prepared to do Ihe same for my sorictv. but lie suggested that it would he wise to get tho authority of the medical association.” He had accordingly interviewed Hie chairman of the association, lie coni tinued, who had not appeared sympathetic to tlie request and who had said that the matter would require the I consideration of his executive. Formal application had then been made to tlie executive and tlie latter had been interviewed but had also appeared most unsympathetic. The request had been declined for no apparent reason. As tlie hospital board was interested in tlie medical association through subsidies grunted, it was requested that tiie board give some consideration to tlie matter. It was decided to send to tlie association a copy of the letter with a 1 request for a statement on the matter. At an earlier stage of tlie proceedings at yesterday’s meeting it was de- i cided to renew for a further 12 months, subject to the approval of tlie Minister, the grant of £l2O to tlie Raglan Medical Association.