Status Of Medical Group Doubted

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30724, 13 April 1965, Page 1

Status Of Medical Group Doubted

Whether the Ashburton Hospital Board should receive a letter from the New Zealand Medical Association, which was described as an unregistered and “dissident” group, was discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the board.

The secretary (Mr D. J. Aitken), detailing matters to be dealt with in general business, said it was recommended that three items, including a letter from the New Zealand Medical Association, be taken in committee. Mr A. E. P Kilian asked for more information about the association. “1 understand there are no such people." he said. The surgeon superintendent (Mr R. J. Jagose) read an excerpt from a letter from the British Medical Association which, he said, described the New Zealand association as a “dissident group" which had been refused registration by the Registrar < f Incorporated Societies because of the confusion it could cause to authorities and the public.

Mr Kilian asked whether it i was necessary to receive a letter from an organisation which was not registered. “We have got into troußle in the past in accepting other correspondence from ooTlies that were not authentic. The same tiling applies here,” he said.

The chairman (Mr M. D. McDowell): There is a recommendation that it be taken at a meeting from which tie public is excluded. Mr W. C. Burton: 1 move that the letter be read.

Mr Kilian said he would be guided by Mr Jagose’s views as to whether the letter should be read in open meet-

ing or in committee. Mr Jagose said he thought it should be taken in committee.

The Board moved that the letter be taken in committee. Mr Burton and Mr E. J. Wood voted against the motion and asked that their votes be recorded.