The Dominion FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1941. THE COERCION OF THE DOCTORS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 303, 19 September 1941, Page 6

The Dominion FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1941. THE COERCION OF THE DOCTORS

The very large attendance at the meeting of citizens, called to protest against the provisions of the Social Security Amendment Bill, and the resolutions passed, combined to prove conclusively one fact • that this measure is of a highly controversial nature. The controversy extends far beyond the confines of Parliament and it now becomes the duty of the Government, and especially of the Prime Minister, to determine whether, at a time when national unity is essential, this disruptive course is td be continued. And that is the first issue to be faced. If, in the interests of that full national cohesion demanded by the'war effort, it is decided to hold the measure over, no one will suffer as a consequence. The medical services, which have always been available, will remain, as will the existing relationship between doctor and patient.

The reasons advanced by the meeting, in. support of its request for a suspension of the contemplated legislation, were both reasonable and demonstrably correct. The first was that the Government had no mandate from the people for such a measure. That is true, both as regards the basis of the scheme and the methods by which it is proposed to enforce it. In its official election manifesto in 1935 • the then Opposition said: “The Labour Government will introduce a national health insurance scheme,” to provide a service for every contingency. The substitution of a partial State medical service, such as is-now proposed, never has been endorsed by the electors for it has never been submitted to them in that form. ■ The request for postponement was also on very sound ground because of the methods which it is proposed to use in effecting the State service. The official manifesto referred to said that the Labour Party “pledges itself to work in co-operation with the friendly societies, the medical, pharmaceutical, dental and nursing professions.” It cannot be contended that the use of compulsion fulfils this pledge of co-operation. Co-operation between parties giving varying but allied services must always be a matter of compromise and adjustment,'the designing or evolving of a plan on which mutual agreement is possible. It is the best, indeed the only practical working basis, but it cannot be reached if one party decides to exercise the political power it commands in order to compel the other parties to do its will. So far as the doctors are concerned it is now evident that they will not submit to the coercive measures attempted against them. They have made it clear that they, as a profession, are not opposed to a health insurance scheme; on the contrary they have been prepared from the outset voluntarily to assist in formulating plans for improving the general standard of health and physical well-being of the people of the Dominion and for assuring the best possible medical practitioner and specialist service for all who may need it.. But the Government has declined to take advantage of their special knowledge and experience, has brushed aside their opinions and convictions and endeavoured to bludgeon them into acceptance of its own plans to socialize the profession. It now remains to be seen, whether the Prime Minister can persuade his following of the injustice and unwisdom of pursuing the course embarked on during his absence overseas.