SOCIAL SECURITY BILL

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 151, 29 June 1938, Page 12

SOCIAL SECURITY BILL

B.M.A. PROTEST

NO CONSULTATION

LIBERTY OF ACTION

RESERVED

An important statement regarding the Social Security Bill which is to be submitted to Parliament was made to the Press today by Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson, of Nelson, president of tlfe New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association.

Dr. Jamieson stated that in view of the expected early introduction of the measure to Parliament and the farreaching effects, especially regarding its medical proposals,' which the Bill, if passed, must have upon the people of New Zealand, the time had arrived when it was necessary to call public attention to the actual position.

"Whatever the nature of the scheme," he said, "it is obvious that its medical provisions cannot be carried out successfully without the co-operation of the medical profession, which is represented by the association. The Government itself is fully aware of this, because on more than one occasion during the past twelve months the Hon. Peter Fraser, Minister of Health, indicated to representatives of the association that the co-operation of the profession was necessary, and that the Government could not introduce any scheme which had not the support of a substantial proportion of the profession. . _

"Under these circumstances," Dr. Jamieson continued, "we naturally expected that when the Government had completed its scheme it would be submitted. in confidence, to the association for that practical advice and criticism which the association has always given and is still ready to give. "Notwithstanding that the profession has, during the last two years, given all the assistance it properly could in the absence of reciprocal information, I very much regret to state that at no stage has the Government disclosed its actual intentions, even in confidence. The general outline given by the Prime Minister's broadcast on April 2 remains still the only indication of what may be incorporated in the Bill. "If the Bill has been drafted we have received neither an advance copy nor any information as to when we may expect one. If it is not drafted it is obvious that in the circumstances— with the session now open—it will be impossible to estimate the probable effects of a measure of that sort. "We have previously pointed out, though we are conscious of deficiencies to be progressively remedied, that there is nothing clamant in the nation s health to justify such war-time secrecy and haste. "Not being acquainted with the Government's final proposals, the association of course, has no criticism to offer at the present stage, but it reserves to itself the right of liberty of action when the Bill is produced, and will then state its view of the case to the public whose interests are so much i concerned."