MATERNITY SCHEME

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20922, 29 September 1939, Page 7

MATERNITY SCHEME

AGREEMENT MADE LAW NO CONTRACT NECESSARY DOCTORS GIVEN OPTION (By Telegraph.—Spprlal to Times) WELLINGTON, Friday The House met at 10.30 a.m. when the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry moved the second reading of the Social Security Amendment Bill. The Minister outlined in detail the provisions of the measure, stressing the fact that it was designed to bring about uniformity of pension payments. The Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, dealing with the maternity service section of the Bill, said some of the clauses therein were purely of a machinery nature, but the most important ones related to the arrangement made between the British Medical Association and the Government. The former organisation had strongly objected to the making of personal contracts, and had asked for a collective contract. This had been done, although an arrangement so far as fees were concerned had not been arrived at. There was provision in the Bill for arbitration on contracts, and if any doctor did not feel he could take part in the scheme he could contract out of it. The 8.M.A., continued Mr Fraser, was as opposed to the general practitioner service as ever, but negotiations on the matter were still proceeding. It was better to negotiate than to go to war, he said, and negotiate after hostilities had ended. Arrangement Welcomed Mr S. G. Holland (Opposition— Christchurch North) said the House would welcome the arrangement which had been arrived at between the Government and the British Medical Association. Members of the Opposition had always been against regimentation, but in this | instance a voluntary arrangement had been arrived at and no one in his right senses would oppose the measure for implementing that agreement. The Rev. A. H. Nordmeyer (Gov-emment-Oamaru) said many people would regret that the full medical benefits in the general practitioner scheme had not been put into operation. The people had been led to expect a general practitioner scheme since the social security proposals had first been brought forward, and they had a right to expect it. They must deplore the attitude of the B.M.A. on the matter. Mr A. E. Jull (Opposition—Waipawa): Won’t they also deplore paying for monetary benefits which they have not received? Mr Nordmeyer: Yes, perhaps; but perhaps the Hon. member can influence his medical friends in the matter. The public, Mr Nordmeyer continued, were entitled to a free medical service, if the medical profession did not agree, and if the Government were not prepared to force them to change their attitude, the Government, in justice and fairness, must give consideration to a remission of portion of the taxation. If it did not, it would practically amount to taking money under false pretences. Opposition interjections: We have been telling you that for a long time. Take Stronger Line? Mr Nordmeyer said that if the Government wished to compel medical men to come behind the scheme legislation would be necessary, and he asked if the Opposition would be prepared to support it. The Government might be forced to take a stronger line with the medical profession. The public was entitled to the benefits, and the Government would be failing in its duty unless it took steps to see that the people had the full benefits to which they were entitled. Mr Jull said the minister’s attitude was more likely to bring about a more favourable set of conditions than the “fiery cross” methods of the member for Oamaru and some of his friends. Fitness of Military Force Dr. D. G. McMillan (Government —Dunedin West) said the recruiting of men for the special military force had given a striking illustration of the state of health of the people of New Zealand. Of the first 5000 men who enlisted, 47 per cent were temporarily unfit; that was to say, they were suffering from some curable condition, and this despite the fact that they were the fittest in the Dominion. It showed that they had been denying themselves medical attention. Under a free medical service all these men would have been properly fit. The figures also showed that if 47 per cent of the young men were suffering from some temporary illness, a much higher percentage of the whole population was in need of medical attention.