LODGES AND MEDICAL BENEFITS.

Evening Star, Issue 23836, 17 March 1941, Page 12

LODGES AND MEDICAL BENEFITS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Let me inform Messrs Macfie, Sligo, and Co. I am not the mouthpiece of anyone. I am just a plain, ordinary citizen 'and born New Zealander with enough common sense and reasoning power to do raj own thinking. Nor am I being influenced by district lodge secretaries, lodge secretaries, or B.M.A. I would remind one of the signatories of words which he will have oft repeated and heard during his long years of association with his order: “ No creed in religion nor code in politics.” The lodges have given a distinct service to those fortunate enough to pass the medical examination necessary before being accepted as a member, but time marches on, and neithci B.M.A. nor distinct secretaries can prevent progress. It is not practicable to fool all of the people all of the time, so district secretaries should stop trying. I am afraid these district secretaries have forgotten that they are the paid servants of their various societies, paid out of the quarterly fees collected from the members, and as servants of the societies have overstepped their! authority in voicing their opinions cither for or against the new medical scheme as district secretaries.—l am, etc., Wood-Pride. March 15 tt TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —My recent letter has evidently got under the skin of some people, as 1 have besides the four secretaries of the previous epistles a letter from the Grand Master himself. This gentleman has been fortunate in not having tasted of the seamy side of life, but he is young yet. I would draw his attention to the fact that he belongs to a society which has been accumulating wealth from the healthy members of the community. The poor devils who cannot pass a lodge doctor are not sought after by his society. But the Government, or, going by election results, the people, have decided that this state of affairs shall cease, and that everyone, healthy or sick, shall have the chance to participate in the security scheme. The writing is on the wall, and some lodges arc even advising their members to go to certain doctors to get on (he scheme. How different from the

“ four just men.” They seek to sweep hack the sea with a feather duster, and will share the fate of King Canute. There is much talk of anonymous correpondence, so I would like to ask my “ Tory ” friends these questions; in fact, I would challenge them to answer: (1) Who gave them permission to meet the doctors who were opposed to the scheme in conference? Were the rank and file of the lodges asked for their opinion, or docs the “ executive ” decide everything? I am under the impression that the rank and file of the lodges told them at the Early Settlers’ Hall some time ago what their views on the mailer were. (2) After they had met the doctors opposed to the scheme, who put the notice in the twq newspapers for a few days? Was it not these executives or their friends who paid to get the doctors’ names published in the papers, no doubt with the money of the rank and file—money used lo fight a scheme the majority of members are in favour of, and money which was collected for a purpose other than what it has been used for? (3) Did these people meet the doctors who were in favour of the scheme and discuss matters of co-operation or otherwise with them as other people have evidently done? I quote from a card issued to a lodge member. “Dr , of ■ ,is prepared to accept members under the socia.l security health scheme. Members applying to him and being placed on the scheme will bo remitted the sum of 5s from their dues per quarter,’ etc. (to save space!. Finally, I can promise ray correspondents that there will bo less than 23 doctors on his friendly society list before many days are past, as literally thousands arc getting their card signed, so T await the outcome with confidence, and advise all members to present cards to their lodge doctor first to show him which way the wind blows; otherwise he will not know til! the quarter is ended.—f am, etc., Sawbones. March 15.