“CONTRACT.”

Evening Star, Issue 23864, 19 April 1941, Page 13

“CONTRACT.”

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The above article hit the nail on the head when stating that “ the medical profession must be controlled.” All New Zealanders with any thinking power at all must admire the doctors for the firm stand they have taken against compulsory slavery. They are the first body of men in New Zealand with courage enough and common sense to boldly refuse to sell their birthright for a mess of pottage. And what a miserable mess of pottago it would be if they were weak-minded enough to be forced into it! The doctors realise that all patients, rich and poor, would inevitably suffer by the arrangement. It could not be otherwise, as many who really would not require a doctor would insist on having one for every trifle, thereby leaving the doctors no time for serious cases. Could anyone blame them? They have been paying for these promises of the Government for a considerable time, and want value. Doctors are only human and cannot keep going night and day. Would they ever be raised to the dizzy height attained by our 40-hours a week day labour? Never! They would be penalised and abused if they dared claim that they must have even four hours for sleep. Our well-to-do citizens don’t want to risk disaster by calling in a doctor who is on the point of collapsing, neither do we poor labourers.—l am, etc., Working Man. 'April 18.