REPLY TO LETTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 192, 16 August 1938, Page 10

REPLY TO LETTER.

REJECTION OF PLANS.

ASSOCIATION'S REGRET. STATEMENT TO MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Replying to a letter from the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Fraser, in regard to the administration of medical benefits under the social security legislation. Dr. J. P. S. Jainieson, president of the New Zealand branch of the 8.M.A.. wrote under date August 13 that the National Health Insurance committee of the association had met and considered the letter and also the bill. Dr. Jamieson pointed out to the Minister that he had been asked to say that, in view of the provision in the bill to institute a universal general practitioner service, no good purpose could be served by continuing the discussions with the Department regarding other detail* while this provision remained. "For two ye.ars we have given our most willing nasietanee in advising on the best way in which a national health scheme could be instituted in New Zealand in the best interests of the public," added Dr. Jamieson. "We regret very much indeed that the rejection of our proposals has forced ue into a position in which we are unable to offer further co-operation. At the game time we shall make it clear, to the public that inediwrf! attention will continue to be available as in the past, and to this end we are sending a copy of this letter to the Prese."