RADICAL CHANGES

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 103, 2 May 1914, Page 9

RADICAL CHANGES

MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND LODGES NEW AGREEMENT TO COME INTO OPERATION. ' 1 (BY TELBORAPH.—PRIJBS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Ist May. A rather interesting position seettm vO have, cropped up regarding the recent decision ol the British Medical Association not to pass for membership to lriendly societies any person earning ttiol'e than £200 per year. It' this reso« lntion is put into efiect, many societies will be seriously concerned, for it would mean a radical change in the matter 41 membership. Most of the lodges boast as prominent members leading public men of the city. Those lodges aftUUited with the Medical Institute have their own doctors, and so arc not greatly concerned, but other ordeis outside this organisation who diepond 'entirely on 13.M.A. doctors would be seriously alfected, Notable amongst these is Iho Foresters Older. The matter has re cchtly been engaging the serious atten* tion of tho Council of the Friendly Societies' Dispensary and Medical Institute. Because of the trouble with the B.M.A. twelve years ago various friend* ly societies decided to band together/ and form an organibution which would bring doctors to Auckland for the especial use of ilb members, and to estabhbh v dispensary. This movement was successful, and is now on' a very sound financial footing. It has a, membership of nearly 4000, employs the cervices of five medical men, and shows a profit of 7£ per cent on the dispensary. In this organisation it is suggested that the lodges now affected ' by the B.M.A. decision should seek • refuge. These lodges include the Foresters and sections of tho Oddfellows and Rechabites. The problem which exercises tho mind of the Medical Institute, however, is in regard to the terms on which they should now ■be admitted, presuming that they seek to affiliate with the organisation which is now firmly established, but which in the beginning had many trials to face, and" which these Orders then declined to assist. ' . Dr. Carriok Robertson, secretary of tho Auckland branch of the 8.M.A., Baid it had been decided that a model agreement, which would incidentally all'eot the question of salary in regard to applicants for lodge membership, Bliould come into operation all over New Zealand. Thero were details to be first «bf all arranged by tho Wellington executive, but the new agreement-would como into operation shortly