STRONGER MEASURES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 193, 17 July 1941, Page 6

STRONGER MEASURES

SERVICES OF DOCTORS. MENTION~OP BILL. (Press Assn.) AUCKLAND, July IG. The announcement that stronger measures would be taken to obtain the services of doctors in the social security beneiits by a Bill which lias already been drafted was made by the Minister of Health (Mr Nordmcyer) at a meeting at BaysWater. The statement was made in response to a question whether the Government was prepared to conscript doctors. “The draft of the Bill is now ready. It has not yet received consideration by the Government, but in my opinion it will give the people of this country the services which they have been expecting and which they are entitled to,’’ said Mr Nordmeyer. “The public are in a frame of mind to-day in which they arc saying to the Government: ‘You have done everything possible to bring in the doctors voluntarily and we are behind you if you take stronger measures.’

“If the Government introduces this. Bill in the House it will have the effect of giving the people that measure of medical care free to which they are entitled,” said Mi Nordmeyer He also announced an extension of hospital benefits by regulations giving free X-ray treatment. The regulations would be considered by* the Cabinet and he anticipated they, would be ready next week. To" overcome the deficiencies in the pharmaceutical benefits a list of proprietary drugs to be given free of charge would shortly be announced, said Mr Nordmeyer. “The list will comprise proprietary medicines which we regard of definite value and which are nut classified in the British Pharmacopoeia.” he stated. “They will be available to the public in the same way as other medicine.” SUPPORT FOR DOCTORS. FARMERS DISCUSS REMIT. (Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, July IG. A remit declaring that the union favoured a national medical scheme (sponsored by Auckland) was carried by the annual Dominion conference ot the New Zealand Farmers’ Union in Wellington to-day. A number ot delegates snared the view expressed by Captain H. M. Rushworth (Auckland) that neither the Government scheme nor the British Medical Association scheme was satisfactory. Captain Rushworth said there was a much better way of meeting the position and suggested that the Dominion executive investigate the scheme which had been outlined to the Auckland Union. The following remit from South Taranaki was discussed: “That this conference of farmers, being concerned in detending the right of tbc individual to carry oil his business without dictation from the State, and recognising that the socialising of one business or profession is only a step toward the socialising of all business and professions, assures the doctors of New Zealand of its support ill resisting the introduction of any scheme which involves the wholesale socialisation ot the profession.” Mr W. A. Bhcat (South Taranaki) said that while most of the delegates might look to Mr Nordmeyer for spiritual advice none would go to him for medical advice. A big issue was raised in the matter of the encroachment of the State on the right of the individual to carry on his profession. The Government should lie prepared to negotiate with the medical profession, which was not prepared-to have the Government’s scheme rammed clown its throat. The medical profession was not going to be socialised to any greater extent than tlie farming industry was to-day, said Mr A. E. Robinson (Auckland), if there was anything that should liesocialised, perhaps l>efore education, it was the health of the people. “There is no question about it. This is socialisation and the medical men are taking exception to it,” said Mr K. M. Baird (Golden Bay). “Why'not let those men run their own job? They are trained to do it.” The question was referred to the Dominion executive.