WILL GO ON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 99, 29 April 1939, Page 13

WILL GO ON.

HEALTH PROPOSALS. EMPHATIC STATEMENT. I — WARNING TO THE DOCTORS. (fly T . -lorji-nph.—Prong Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. I: rt. pliii li. a 11V stating that tho Govhealth proposals will go on, in -piii- of whatever difficulties may be in tin' wll y or may bo deliberately c' l ' l ''- (1| » MinUtcr of Health, tho linn. I'. Krascr, in a statement issued ilii.v. deelared that if tho British Medical Association persisted i„ jt s prc-cii l. attitude, its responsibility in delaying, curtailing or obstructing tho ( lovernment's scheme would bo very great, nnd tho odium of even partial prevention of the people's enjoying full benefit* would inevitably bo associated with tho In.-ttigators of its policy. "In a statement. recently published the council of the New Zealand branch cil tllo British Medical Association montimis a cotnnnmication from me," said Mr. Fraser. "This communication was un Invitation to the association to nominate representatives for appointment to tho Central Medical Committee, which it 1a proposed to set up as a means of formal consultation on the various aspects of the social security scheme affecting tho medical profession. As an alternative, I expressed my willingness to consider the recognition of the committee of the association itself un tho consultativo body. Complete Plan Intended. "In the association's statement, the ( ei n nient scheme is erroneously represented a* providing a partial or limited service, whereas the Governments proposals, as embodied in the legislation, provide for tho establishment by stage* of a complete range of treatment benefits for tho sick and injured. I am sorry to tind tho association still advocates a discriminatory scheme under which the only persons eligible for tho free service will bo those unable to provide it for themselves. Parliament an<l the people of New Zealand have declared against the imoeiation'n limited scheme and in favour of tho Government's social security health proposals. I believe many member* of tho medical profession share in the view of the majority of people expressed at the poll* in October last. "Modified Attitude." "I have seen the Pre** report of Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson's comment in connection with the association's ofllcial statement, and note that he Is of tho opinion that the profession would not object to maternity benefits in tho form of a cash benefit not involving any contract between the Government and the doctor*," the Minister said. "I welcome this modification of tho association's official altitude, as it implies that the profession has no objection to maternity benefits being available to all mothers, whatever their financial position. This, as outlined by Jamlounn, would not, of course, achieve the object the Government has in view, namely, tho provision of free medical and nursing services in relation to maternity, but it is, at least, softie evidence of increasing appreciation by tho medical profession of the value and the essential soundness of the Government's universal maternity and other health benefits. Cash Benefits Unsatisfactory. "Unfortunately the experience abroad in connection with cash benefits in relation to maternity has been that many doctors have increased their charges, ao that payment from the insurance fnnd benefited doctors rather than the patients. I sincerely hope that, on further consideration, the association will see fit to render that invaluable assistance and co-operation which it is in a position to extend. "In any case, whatever difficultfea may be in the way or may be deliberately created, the Government's health proposal! will go on," the Minister declared. "They will go on to successful establishment. No Government can afford to permit an/ soctlon to frustrate the expressed wish of the people. lam sure the good sense of responsible representatives of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association will compel them to agree with this truism. Acknowledgment of Courtesy. "I wish here frankly to acknowledge the courtesy and general helpfulness of Dr. Jamleson and other representatives of the association during tho whole of the negotiations and discussions in connection with the Government's proposals. I express my personal gratitude' to them. "At the rams 'time, In view of the repeated offers by the Government to set tip an organlMition which would ensure t hat the professional control of the health scheme was to a very great extent in the hands of th« medical profession, I ennnot understand tho assortion repeatedly made from tho ranks of ,the profession that a universal medical scheme would be State control in every aspect," Mr. Fraser added. "In view of the measure of professional control freely offered, that statement is absurd."