“NO SECRET FUNDS”

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1946, Page 3

“NO SECRET FUNDS”

AIMS AND OBJECTS OF THE B.M.A. STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN (P.A.) . WELLINGTON, Sept. 18. “There lias been a great deal of misunderstanding regarding the duties, aims, and objects of the British Medical Association,” said Mr. E. H. M. Luke, chairman of the council of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, at a recent meeting. “We have not always been able to agree with the present Government that its measures regarding health matters are sound,” said Mr. Luke. “As has so often been the case in political matters, some partisan statements have appeared from, time to time. Some of these tend to mislead. I was surprised recently to see it suggested indirectly in the House of Representatives that the British Medical Association should have it accounts audited. “I think it will be of interest, if I outline the true nature of the association and its work. It is not generally known that the 8.M.A.-is a completely voluntary body. Membership is not compulsory, nor is there the slightest vestige of power to compel members to conform to general policy. The association is able to do no more than advise its members as to any proposed course of action, and at times advise the Government of the day and the public on subjects where the profession’s accumulated knowledge of hundreds of years can be of value. Power of Expulsion

There exists, of course, power of expulsion, which is rarely used, and then only in cases of grossly unethical conduct. Expulsion does not carry loss of the right to continue in practice. The B.M.A. is not charged with the duty of exercising discipline in the profession. This work is done by a body called the Medical Council of New Zealand.

“The primary purpose of the B.M.A. is the dissemination of modern medical knowledge. To this end a technical journal with a large circulation in New Zealand and overseas is published. This journal contains a complete report of all the transactions of the governing body. Any suggestion that the B.M.A. does anything ( that is not in accord with its memorandum of association is ruled out by the fact that a copy of this journal, containing the minutes of all meetings, is supplied to the General Assembly library in Parliament Buildings, where it is readily available to the very people who have been so prominent in expressing doubt. Accounts Audited “The financial accounts of the B.M.A. are audited annually by a responsible firm of public accountants. Printed copies are distriutbed widely. They have never included any items other than those which may properly be expected of an association which has as its objective the maintenance ■of ethical standards and the dissemination of medical knowledge in the public interest. There are no secret funds. No payments are made other than those recorded in these completely innocuous accounts. “There has been a tendency to accept without protest criticism which has appeared in the press and in political circles. If there have been grounds for criticism it has nqt.4>een by reason of deterioration in the ideals of quality of work of members of the 8.M.A., but because of the stress imposed by the social secvily legislation, which was brought down in its present forms against our clear warnings, and which imposed a heavy burden of increased work at a time when our numbers were reduced by one third who were on active service. “It has become fashionable in some quarters to refer to the fj.M.A. as a powerful trade union. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is true that more than 90 per cent, o! the profession are members and recent admissions have exceeded all previous figures, but applications for membership are made voluntarily. Many of the facilities of the association are extended equally to members and nonmembers. There are no powers to levy fines, or to suspend from practice, and no law or court awards to be invoked in support of views which are arrived at in a constitutional manner, and are followed or not followed by the rank and file according to the excellence and public spiritedness of the measures.” -