MEN'S CHARGE AGAINST DOCTORS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21387, 1 February 1935, Page 12

MEN'S CHARGE AGAINST DOCTORS

DEATH OF RELIEF WORKER (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAM.) AUCKLAND, January 31. Allegations that though four doctors in the city ufere telephoned they all declined to attend a sick relief worker were made to-day by a relief workers' deputation to the Minister for Finance, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. Mr F. E. Lark, the spokesman, said that a fifth doctor went to the man, but demanded his fee first. The other relief workers found 10s among them and the doctor immediately ordered the man, who was unconscious, to the hospital, where he died, and he was buried in a pauper's grave this morning. Mr Lark said that the case was only one of hundreds. The men asked that the Government make their organisation a grant to help provide medical attention and funeral allowances. Doctors were tired of being called out at all hours and never being paid. The man buried to-day was dead within three hours of his entry to hospital. His life might have been saved.

CHRISTCHURCH PROTEST At a largely attended meeting of the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee and affiliated organisations last evening (called to select Labour candidates for the municipal elections m May) a resolution was passed protesting against the treatment of the relief worker mentioned in the above message. It was decided to send a telegram to the Minister for Health (the Hon. Sir Alexander Young) asking for an enquiry into the case.