LEGISLATIVE ERROR SEEN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 127, 22 February 1941, Page 13

LEGISLATIVE ERROR SEEN

Medical Journal’s View Of Benefits Scheme “In passing the Finance Act (No. 4), 1940, in December last, the Government has once again admitted legislative error in writing Part 111 of the Social Security Act, 1938, into the laws of the country in disregard of the advice of those concerned in medical work,” states an editorial on the general practitioner scheme in the February issue of the “New Zealand Medical Journal.” The article says if is fully understood that success in Hie Government’s tactics would result in complete bureaucratic control of medicine.

"Being paid from the Social Security Fund, and governed by the regulations, Hie profession would be in effect civil servants, but civil servants without hours of duty, leave, promotion, or pension—civil servants without the status, amenities, protection or security of civil servants. Advantage would accrue to those who undertook the greatest number of patients, contenting themselves with physiognomic diagnosis and empirical treatment. Those things being known, there is no occasion for apprehension. We have proven what solidarity moans. . We have not forgotteir the fate of the original maternity contract. . . . Ono Course Open.

“There is but one course for the profession to take. Let every member continue to give the best service he can to the people and to the Empire's need. Put all consideration of financial advantage or disadvantage iu Ute background, for this is not primarily a question of money. Terms may be varied at any time, but: rights and liberties once surrendered will never be retrieved. It is important that tliose who hold contract appointments should continue them—even under hardship—in order that the public should not experience difficulty in obtaining the necessary service. Let everyone remember the duty he owes to his colleagues on service and the loyalty ho owes to his association, which events have shown to be stronger than ever.”