NATIONAL INSURANCE ACT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15921, 6 May 1912, Page 7

NATIONAL INSURANCE ACT.

THREATENED STRIKE OF DOCTORS. United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received May 5, 5.5 p.m.)

LONDON,

May 4.

Owing to Mr Lloyd George's Opera House speech in February, and Mr Masterman's threat that if necessary the National Insurance Act could be worked in England, as in Ireland, without medical benefits, the committee of the British Medical Association has asked 26,000 doctors to sign an additional pledge to simultaneously resign all club, friendly society, • dispensary and other forms of contributory contract practice appointments throughout England, Scotland and Wales, unless their demands are granted; " also except in cases of urgent necessity, not to render professional service to people insured through any voluntary medical charity.

Dr Cox, secretary of the Association, explaining this new dramatic turn thus given to the controversy, explains that in the event of a doctors' strike those insured would have to make their own private arrangements for medical attendance.