DISTRACTIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 24003, 30 September 1941, Page 6

DISTRACTIONS.

lx an editorial in 1 Zcalandia.’ the Human Catholic weekly newspaper, it is pertinently asked: “ If the Government is allowed to get away with the Medical Services Bill who shall put bounds to parliamentary despotism ? ” This raises gvavo issues, in which the principles of liberty arc directly involved. 'The implication is that so long as the present Government holds office it intends in pursuit of the Socialistic goal to coerce minorities who do not fall in with its views. The proposed treatment of the doctors is a case in point. No longer are they to be allowed to pursue their calling according to their honourable and efficient traditions, but an effort is being put forward to bring them under the domination of tho State. The contention is advanced that the Government’s plan will improve the health of the people. That will not be accomplished by increasing the demands on overworked doctors and the absorption of more medicine. The basis of good health is rational living and obedience to the laws of Nature. There is no need for the present legislation. A modified scheme as suggested by tho doctors would be acceptable, as it would provide for the needs of tho poorest in the community. but for the great majority of the people tho existing health and medical services are quite adequate. In tho past the friendly societies have done notable work in tho community in providing for tho medical needs of their members. Now the ground apparently is to be cut from under their feet.

In the words of a speaker at the half-yearly meeting of tho Otago District Committee of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, ‘‘ it will mean the death knell of the friendly societies if this Bill is passed.” In reality this measure is not a proposal to improve tho health service, but to change its economic basis, at the same time increasing tho powers of the Government. The political implications are obvious. They are illustrated by the way in which the word “Tory” is flung about by contributors to our correspondence columns who write in support of the scheme, some of whom, while believing in a forty-hour week for themselves, think it no hardship to lay further heavy burdens ou our already overworked doctors, whoso ranks have been so greatly depleted by the calls of war. Looking at the matter dispassionately, the conviction is inescapable that the Government made a bad error of judgment in persisting with this piece of highly contentious and unnecessary legislation at this particular time, when the (mergics of the people should bo concentrated ou the war effort. Neither is a General Election appropriate at present. There is no need for it, and its chief effect would be to accentuate political differences and to disturb conditions generally. In the course of an address at Manchester Mr C. R. Attlee said: “ It is tragic to look back and see how the mighty forces of the world have been dissipated by disunity.” Those words express a simple truth. There is need for their application in New Zealand to-day,