NATIONAL INSURANCE.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XL, Issue 5804, 8 May 1912, Page 5

NATIONAL INSURANCE.

A STAiITLINd DKYKLUI'MIONT

DO CTOKS Til I<lo AT LON TO

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LONDON, May *1

The British- Medical Association Has asked 26,000 doctors to sign an additional pledge' in connection with their attitude towards tW, .N'utional Insurance Act, to simultaivoously resign all club, friendly ' society, dispensary and other forms of contributory contract' practice appointments in England, Scotland and Wales, except Cases cf urgent necessity, unless their demands an granted. The doctors, under the proposed pied'?e, are no.t to render professional service to people insured through any voluntary medical charity. ,

Dr. Cox, secretary of the British Medical Association, explaining the new dramatic turn thus given in the controversy, says that in' the event of a strike of doctors those insured would have to make their own private arr arguments for medical attendance.

This would imply the breakdown of one of the most attractive- features of the Act.

The association has taken this action owing to a speech by 3\lr Lloyd-George in February, and to the threat made by Mr l<\ C (J. Masterman, -I.'rider-Secretary to the Home Office^ that if necessary' the national insurance scheme would be worked in England as in Ireland, without bene/its.