CLOSE THE GAPS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 6, 2 October 1941, Page 9

CLOSE THE GAPS

Mr. Coates Appeals For Settlement “I feel that if the matter can be settled amicably, and the Prime Minister, tbe Minister of Finance and the Minister of Health can meet the medical men at an early hour, it is likely that they may be able to come to an understanding and thus remove a great many of the difficulties,” said Mr. Coated (Opposition, Kaipara). Mr. Coates was given a most attentive hearing, and as he sat down there were murmurs of approval from some members on both sides. An appeal for a broad approach to the outstanding issues was made by Mr. Coates. He said the doctors overseas were entitled to consideration on any matter affecting their future. The Minister of Supply, Mr. -Sullivan: Would they not have a 'better chance of getting a start on their return, under tills Bill? . Mr. Coates: I think we must remember the objection of- the medical profession. They say it Is coercion.' Unless we can have a willing profession there is no chance of making a success of the scheme. We must have men go into it willingly and wholeheartedly or we will have trouble and disappointment and the benefits will not reach the people the Government desires to help. There are different methods by which we can approach this thing. If the medical profession felt it was being coerced and took a stand and refused to work the scheme, it would be mighty difficult, and he thought he was right in saying that no member wanted that to happen, Mr. Coates continued. What would happen if an effort was made to drive the doctors? He did not think the Government would get far in such an eventuality. The amended BUI was a tremendous improvement. He understood that there were two main questions the settlement of which was wanted. One was the question Of a tribunal fixing a fee. The doctors considered it wrong that the fee should be fixed by Statute. The second point was that the doctors were the only section of the community that was to be denied the right of approach to the Courts. A doctor would make an arrangement with a patient for a fee. A Government voice: Any fee he Mr. Coates: But he has a legal claim only to the sum specified. Mr. Coates added that in the past the doctor always had the right to go to the Courts, though he made little use of it. Mr. Anderton (Government, Eden): Tbe debt collector does it for him. “If the scheme is to succeed we must have the complete co-operation of the profession, not just a few, but all of them,” Mr. Coates added. “I understand that the 8.M.A., is making representations along these lines.” , He added that the points he had mentioned were, he understood, those standing in the way of getting the scheme working.

“For Heaven’s sake do not let us have any acrimony, or as little as possible, and where a section believes it is being coerced let us try to get over this even if it means some members have to accept something that is not entirely acceptable to them in theory," Mr. Coates concluded. “It seems that if we are just on the way to closing gaps, let us close them and get on to something else.”