CRITICISM BY DOCTORS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22443, 2 July 1938, Page 3

CRITICISM BY DOCTORS

MR SAVAGE REPLIES

CONSULTATION DURING LAST TWO YEARS

(PBBSS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM,) WELLINGTON, July 1. In commenting on the complaint of Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson, president of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, that the Government had not sought the co-operation of the medical profession in advance, the Prime Minister (the Rt. Horn M. J. Savage) said this afternoon that the facts seerrfed to him to prove quite the opposite. “Two years ago this August,” said Mr Savage, “the Minister for Health (the Hon. P. Fraser) set up an Insurance Investigation Committee, with Dr. D. G. McMillan (Government, Dunedin West) as chairman, and it took evidence from medical men collectively and individually. Then, a year ago last March, Dr. McMillan travelled round New Zealand, visiting every village in the North Island and the main centres of the South Island. He discussed health insurance problems with doctors, and learned their individual and local problems, “At one meeting at Nelson, at which Dr. Jamieson was present, one of the doctors said that if the Government tackled all legislation with the thoroughness with which it was tackling health insurance, great credit would be reflected on it. The Minister for Health and the Minister for Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) held long and detailed discussions with representatives of the medical profession, and the profession then gave abundant evidence to the Social Security Committee and discussed the problem at length. Nothing more could be done.”

SMALL DEFICIT

PLUNKET SOCIETY AT TIMARU

PROBLEMS DISCUSSED AT ANNUAL MEETING

Regret that the year’s work had resulted in a small deficit was expressed at the annual meeting of the Timaru branch of the Plunket Society, and a plea was made for more public support so that the necessary finance would be provided to enable the society to -continue its good service. The Mayor (Mr W. G. Tweedy) presided. In moving the adoption of the annual report, Mr F. J. Rolleston referred to the death of Sir Truby King, whom he described as one of the great men of the British Empire and of the world. . .

Mr Rolleston said that recently there had been criticism of the methods of the society’s work. He expressed his confidence that if any suggestion could be made whereby the society’s work could be improved it would be accepted willingly. He thought that it should be realised that the work of the society was not to care for the sick baby, but to tend to the normal healthy child. If this were borne in mind, many misconceptions would be cleared up. The infant mortality rate in New Zealand was the lowest in the world, but if it could be further improved he was sure that the society would welcome any suggestions to that end. Mr Rolleston made reference to the declining birth rate, which he said he regarded as one of the most serious problems of the day. In the last 30 years the rate in New Zealand and England had fallen considerably, and if the position was not rectified it would not be difficult to realise what the future of the race would be. It had been argued that immigrants should be brought from England, but this would hardly be possible, as England’s rate was falling so rapidly. The subject was one he commended to the earnest consideration of everybody. In seconding the report, Mr W. H. Hall expressed the hope that the public would provide greater support for the society to carry on its good work. He hoped that it would be possible in the future to provide a car for the nurses, who should not have to cycle everywhere to carry out their duties.

Malnutrition among children was referred to by Mrs Inglis, who said that small children, up to five years of age at least, should receive an hour’s rest every day. She had seen children playing in the streets up to 8 o’clock at night, and at such an hour the younger ones ought to be in bed. She also considered it a mistake to give children something to eat between meals. She considered that three good meals a day should be sufficient. It was a mistake to give children the same meals as their parents had. Plain food was much better fare for them. An address on the early days of the society was given by Miss Lucy Cook. The election of officers resulted:— President, Mrs L. M. Inglis; vicepresidents, Mesdames A. Wigley, V. C. Meehan and C. Hall; executive. Mesdames F. F. A. Ulrich. F. Lewis, W. Raymond, W. Hall, R. T. Turnbull, C. S. Bruce. C. W. Wood, jun.; committee. Mesdames T. W. Satterthwaite, D. B. Shand, F. G. Raymond, G. D. Virtue, J. A. Millar, C. S. Marshall, J. Henshaw, F. T. Wilken, L. A. Scaife, G. R. Lee, T. B. Lane, W. Sowerby, E. Laverty (Kensington), P. Vesty, J. H. Holdgate, H. J. Brewer, J. T. O. Stephens, W. G. Tweedy, C. H. Johnson (St. Andrews), T. Guthrie (Pareora). A. Ward (Southburn), and Miss B. J. Moyle (Springbrook); honorary committee, Mesdames H. W. Monaghan, R. B. BeH, R. D. King, F. A.

Raymond, H'. Elworthy, F, F. Neale, J. C. Oddie, L. S. Talbot, and M. A. Raymond; advisory board, Messrs G. S Cray, N. D. Mangos, W. H. Hall. J. Stevens, Drs. L. S. Talbot, and F. F. A. Ulrich; honorary solicitor, Mr FJ. Rollestoa; honorary auditor, Mr R. .S. Goodman; secretary and treasurer, Mrs A. B. Herdman.