Social Security Bill

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 152, 30 June 1938, Page 5

Social Security Bill

Doctors Ignored by Government NO DRAFT OF SCHEME Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, .Tune 29. Failure of the Government to confide in the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association concerning the detailed provisions incorporated in th«u Social Security Bill, to be presented to Parliament during the present session, was the subject of adverse comment by Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson, president of thu association, in a statement issiied to tho Press to-day. Dr. Jamieson stated that in view of the expected early introduction of the measure to Parliament and the fai reaching effects, especially regarding its medical proposals, which the Bill, if passed, must have upon the people of New Zealand, the time had arrived when it was necessary to call public attention to the actual position. “Whatever the nature of the scheme,” he said, “it is obvious that its medical provisions cannot be carried out successfully without the co-operation of the medical profession, which is represented by the association. The Government itself is fully aware of this, because on more than one occasion during the past 12 months, the Hon. P. Frase k , Minister of Health, indicated to representatives of the association that the cooperation of the profession was necessary and that the Government could not introduce any scheme which had not the support of a substantial proportion of the profession. Draft of Scheme Expected. “Under these circumstances,” Dr. Jamieson continued, “we naturally expected that when the Government had completed its scheme it would be submitted, in confidence, to the association for that practical advice and criticism which the association had always given and is still ready to give. “Notwithstanding that the profession has, during the last two years, given all the assistance it could in the absence of reciprocal information, I very muen regret to state that at no stage has the Government disclosed its actual intentions, even in confidence. The general outline given by the Prime Minister's broadcast on April 2 last remains still the only indication of what may be incorporated in the Bill

“If the Bill has been drafted we have received neither an advance copy nor any information as to when wfj may expect one. If it is not drafted it is obvious that in the circumstances with the session now open, it will be impossible to estimate the probable of a measure of that sort. “We have previously pointed out, though we are conscious of deficiencies to be progressively remedied, that there is nothing clamant in the nation s health to justify such war-time secrecy and haste. Not being acquainted with the Government’s final proposals, the association, of course, has no criticism to offer at the present stage, but it reserves to itfcelf the right of liberty of action when the Bill is introduced, and will then state its views of the case to the public whose interests are so much concerned.” "B.M.A. WILL NOT BE PUT ON A PEDESTAL” PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY WELLINGTON, Last Night. VNo one outside Cabinet has a right to know the contents of a Bill until it has been brought before Parliament,” said the Prime Minister (Mr. Savage) this evening, referring to the statement by the president of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association (Dr. J. P. S. Jamieson) that so far the branch had not received an advance. copy of the Social Security Bill. Mr. Savage indicated, however, that it. was not difficult for anyone who had followed the position to gaill a very fair idea of the likely nature of the Govern meat’s proposals.

"So far the Bill has not conic before Cabinet,’’ Mr. Savage said. “In these circumstances it is quite Unreasonable for the British Medical Association to oxpect a copy of the Bill or any specific, information concerning its contents. Tho particular nature of tho proposals in the Bill will not be made known until it is introduced in Parliament and when that is done the medical profession v» r ili have precisely the same opportunity as any other section of the people to study it. The British Medical Association is not tho only organisation interested in tho proposed legislation. Friendly

societies, for instance, aro vitally interested in Our proposals. In fact their existence practically depends on the decisions tho Government will make, yet they have offered unconditional support in tho launching of tho scheme. ’ ’

Mr. Savage said after the Bill became law numerous regulations dealing with the administartion of the scheme would be necessary and tho British Medical Association and other interested organisations would be consulted when those were being prepared.

“Tho British Medical Association seems to want us to put it on a pedestal,” said Mr. Savage. "I for one am not going to put it there.”