MEMBERSHIP OF B.M.A.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 13

MEMBERSHIP OF B.M.A.

Mr Nash’s Remark Resented

“I resent very strongly the implication in Mr Nash’s statement that pressure is brought to bear on members of the medical profession to join the British Medical Association, membership of which is purely voluntary," said the president of the Canterbury division of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association (Dr. A. C. 'Sandston) in a statement last evening. Dr. Sandston was referring to remarks by Mr Nash at the opening of the Labour Party campaign in the Hurunui by-election at Rangiora on Wednesday evening. Speaking about compulsory unionism, Mr Nash said: “I don't like compulsion in any form, but we must remember that we have compulsory education and many organisations with some form of compulsion. I would like to see a doctor try to set up practice in this country without being a member of the British Medical Association." “There are quite a number of doctors throughout New Zealand who are not members of the British Medical Association, and this has no effect on their practices, nor is any compulsion whatever brought to bear on them to join the association,” said Dr. Sandston. “The average doctor is usually not aware who among his colleagues is not a member of the association."