DOCTORS ASK FOR INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 295, 10 September 1941, Page 8

DOCTORS ASK FOR INQUIRY

Implications Of New Bill ROYAL COMMISSION SOUGHT Dominion Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 10. “A piece of coercive legislation under which the doctors must submit or starve.” This description is applied by the Canterbury Division of the British Medical Association to the Bill providing for a general practitioner scheme which was introduced in the House of Representatives last Friday. A statement issued by the division says that the doctors have asked that the implications of the Bill be made the subject of an inquiry by a Royal Commission. The Bill is definitely a piece of coercive legislation striking fundamentally at the liberty of"the subject,” says tlie division. "Its introduction arises purely from political motives. No valid reason lelative to the health of th<? people has been put forward for this latest attempt at coercing the medical profession. But the doctors are to submit or starve.

"While at least 30 per cent, of the profession are helping to take medical care of our boys overseas, their rights are being taken away behind their tacks. Those medical men remaining in New Zealand are almost entirely middle-aged men, practically all of whom had considerable service during the last war and are undertaking at least double duty at present. Under the terms of the Bill these men are to be converted into a team of juvenile ‘bell-hops’ working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year.' “This an undertaking which can be accomplished by no Act of Parliament. The doctors at present in prac>tice could not posisbly cope with tne increase of working resulting from the passing/of this Bill, and so the standard of medical care would rapidly deteriorate. Surely this could not be the wish of the elected representatives oi this country. "The medical profession has asked for a' Royal Commission, free of political control, to inquire into and advise as to a solution of the difficulty. They also feel that they have the sympathy of the public in the very trying position they have been placed at this time of national crisis.

“The freedom of the individaal has always been one of the fundamental principles of democratic life. It is now proposed in a British country, by Act vf Parliament, to coerce a section of the people into the State machine, and if this is allowed to continue unchecked it will eventually mean the subjection of the whole population.” —

A SURGEON’S COMMENT

■■ \ Scheme Aims To Capture Whole Profession Writing to the editor of the “New Zealand Herald,” Auckland, “M.R.0.5., L.R.G.P.” says:— “You sav that if a doctor refuses to treat a patient ‘he is then deprived of the opportunity to pursue his profession. In plain words he must obey the Statute or lose his means of livelihood.’ I “This is undoubtedly what the Government intends and what will take place if the doctors surrender themselves. The scheme aims at the capture of the whole profession and it can only do that if the whole of private practice is destroyed so as to leave no alternative to serving the State. That the Government is . aiming at this is plain to anyone who knows the course of the negotiations between the Government and the British Medical Association. No member of the Government will deny that in the beginning the B.M.A. submitted a scheme they were willing to work, which provided for free, complete medical service to every person in the country whose income was below £4OO or £5OO a year. "The Government turned down this proposal without discussion, saying they would refuse to consider any scheme which did not include the whole of the population, rich or poor. From this it is obvious that the intention is to render the doctors helpless before dealing with them. It also plainly shows who is to blame for the failure to provide the service that has been paid for. Does anyone believe that it is on account of a tenderness for the rich that the Government has withheld the benefits from the poor? “No, it is for a political reason. It is the continuation of the policy of seizing ail power and liberty for the State and it is worked on the plan of one at a time. Somebody has to call a halt or the whole of our freedom will have gone. I hope the doctors will be able to give the first check.” A Call To Women (To the Editor). Str, —May I, through your columns, call on all the women of New Zealand to determine what steps they are prepared to take to counteract the proposed interference by legislation with one of women’s most cherished and privileged friendships—that of doctor and patient? At all times he is not only a healer of our bodily ills, but also of our personal worries and troubles, His advice and help are asked on many difficult private, and family details that could be sought from no one else, and always tlie advice and' help is forthcoming, kindly and humane, from the knowledge he has gained as family doctor and confidant. Are we going to stand by and see this privilege taken from us without protest? I am an elderly woman, my age and health prevent my starting a movement to combat this Government scheme, but if a younger woman or women will take it up, I will give all help in my power, and encourage others to do the same. This is no political propaganda, but an earnest desire for tlie women of New Zealand to realize before it is too late what they are going to lose.—l am, etc., GRATEFUL MEMORIES. Wellington, September 9.

Protest Against Injustice

Sir, —As one who, in a long lifetime, has gratitude and respect for the many services of the medical profession. I cannot refrain from protesting at the intended treatment by our Government of our doctors. Why should an honoured profession be singled out for dictation and coercion? It reminds me of the treatment meted out to the Jews by a certain zealous and greedy foreign Government. I am thankful that your columns are open to voice a protest against injustice. —I am., etc., J. M. WHITCOMBE. Palmerston N., September 9.