MEDICAL CONGRESS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 39, 16 February 1914, Page 2

MEDICAL CONGRESS

CONCLUDING BUSINESS RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED. . (UY TEUEQKAPU.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.) j AUCKLAND, 15th February. There was a full meeting of the Aus- . tralasian Medical Congress on Saturday morning to consider the resolutions which had been passed by the various sections of the congress, and at half- | past 11 the visiting doctors left Auckland by special train for Eotorua. From 150 to 200 doctors took advantage of this opportunity to visit the Hot Lakes. About 80 doctors will go down the Wanganui River by special steamer. Recommendation from the public health section that in future the school inspection and hygiene section should be separated from public health and established as an independent section was endorsed. A proposal that the medical inspection of schools by the State should be extended to private schools was keenly discussed, and the matter was deferred for further consideration. Following up the comprehensive report on the care and control of the feeble-minded, the combined sections of psychological medicine, public health, and diseases of children recommended the congress to urge the State Governments of Australia and the New Zealand Government to take into consideration, with a view to legislating, at the earliest possible moment, the recommendations submitted in the reference to the establishment of day and residential schools for the treatment of mental defects. The motion was adopted, and the existing committee was reappointed with power to add to its number. The Contract Practice Committee recommended the reaffirmation of the income limit clause, and congress agreed. The clause in question provides that no medical man shall pass for admission into any friendly society for professional attendance at contract rates of remuneration any person whose income from all sources, together with that of his wife, exceeds £4 weekly, and shall not attend professionally at contract rates any member of a friendly organisation whose income from all sources exceeds £6 weekly. A resolution passed by the council of the British Medical Association, to the effect that membership of future congresses be limited to, the membership of the 8.M.A., came up for consideration. During the discussion which followed, the fear was expressed that if such a limitation were imposed the congress might be deprived of the services of some good men who had neglected or omitted to become members of the B.M.A. It was decided to alter the resolution to read : "That future congresses be congresses of the British Medical Association." In connection with the lengthy report presented by the special committee set up to frame recommendations on the subject of venereal disease, it was agreed that the information furnished with the memoranda be published, add that copies be forwarded to the Governments of Australasia. A further motion was carried setting up a permanent commission for the whole of Australasia _ to guide arrangements for the production of .reports, and act as an advisory body to the executive of congiess. The New Zealand members are Drs. W. E. Collins and Hardie Neil, and Professor Col<juhoun. Dr. Collins was appointed chairman, and Di\ Hardie Neil general secretary.