TRADE UNIONS APPEAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 8, 21 October 1941, Page 7

TRADE UNIONS APPEAL

DOCTOR CALLED FOR SERVICE. 4100 PATIENTS ON PANEL (P.A.) INVERCARGILL, Oct. 20. Appeals by trade union secretaries, trade unions, and a branch of the Labour Party against the calling up for active service of Dr. Athol Ewan McMillan, of Invercargill, were heard to-day by the No. 6 Armed Forces Appeal Board. In a reserved decision the board adjourned the appeal until the next sitting in Invercargill. Dr. McMillan had also entered an appeal on his own behalf, asking for a postponement of service until after December 31. This appeal, however, was withdrawn.

Dr. McMillan is the only doctor in Invercargill operating under the Social Security Act. It was stated during the hearing that he had a panel of 4100 patients. Appeals were entered by the following: the Invercargill branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants of New Zealand; David Harris, union secretary; Dorothy May de Laney, assistant secretary of the Hotel Workers’ Union in Invercargill; the Associate Society of Railway Servants; the central branch of the NeW Zealand Labour Party; and Peter Hennessey, contractor under the Social Security Act.

“Do you suggest that the Social ’Security Act will not operate effectively without you?” asked Mr A. N. Haggitt (for the Crown). Witness said he did not suggest that.

No appeals had been entered on witness’s behalf by the National Medical Committee, the Director of National Service, or the Department of Health, said Mr Haggitt.

Witness said he had not asked any of them to do so.

Mr Haggitt: Do you know that there are quite a number of senior medical men who have gone overseas because there is difficulty in getting younger men?

Witness: No. I know there are a number of senior men overseas. For what reason I do not know.

Witness said he was quite prepared to abide by the decision of the board. If it thought he was needed in Invercargill he would stay, and if it thought he was needed more in the Army, he would go. He was not appealing himself.

Mr H. Hodgson (a member of the board): The Government is bringing in the scheme in November. Do you know whether there are any doctors here who will work it? Witness: I have not the faintest idea.

Major H. C. Mackenzie, Army area officer, gave evidence that the services of Dr. McMillan were required by the Army. There was a shortage of doctors in the armed forces. There were some doctors overseas who were too old for the job. Mr G. J. Reed (counsel for the appellant) : Does it surprise you to know that there are 4100 patients on Dr. McMillan’s panel?' Witness: It would sprprise me if he could attend them all. .