STATE MEDICAL SERVICE

Grey River Argus, 7 August 1937, Page 5

STATE MEDICAL SERVICE

Tasmania’s Scheme B.M.A. OPPOSITION. [Per Press Association], AUCKLAND, August 6. A State luncheon was tendered in the Grand Hotel, to-day to Hon. A. G Ogilvie, Premier of Tasmania, and Dr. J. F. Gaha, Minister of Health, and senior surgeon at the Hobart Hospital, who are returning oy the “Monterey” after the Coronation. Mr Fraser rarived in Auckland this morning, to represent the Government as host. Interviewed, Mr Ogilvie indicated that the British Medical Association did not look altogether with favour on his Govrenment’s scheme for the appointment of State medical officers in remote- country districts. “We are making a start in January next with ten medical officers, who will be civil servants,” saici Mr Ogilvie. “If we cannot obtain the men we' require in Australia, we will try England. If we fail there, we will have no hesitation in appointing German doctors, wno have been exiled because of Hitler’s anti-Semitic campaign. Many of thees professional men have exceedingly high qualifications, and some brilliant careers. He added that despite the opposition shown by the 8.M.A., and a section of the Press, the Government hr .1 gone steadily forward, and taken no notice of criticism. It had received many applications from English

1 doctors, and was confident it would ‘ have no difficulty in making appointments. If the scheme was successful it was likely to be extended to embrace the whole State. “The time has arrived for intensive public health activity in all parts of the world,” said Dr. Gaha, when interviewed. “There are indications that in future, a large proportion of money now spent on health will be spent oh the prevention of disease. Australia and New Zealand have facilities to develop the best medical services in the world.”