B.M.A. and State Medical Service

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 153, 1 July 1938, Page 7

B.M.A. and State Medical Service

STRONG REPLY TO PRIME MINISTER Por Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 30. Replying to the Prime Minister, trm Rt. Hon. M. J. Savge, Dr. Jamieson, *ja Nelson, president of the New Zealauc. branch of the British Medical Association, said that Mr Savage’s statement was exactly what the B.M.A. had ex pected. What the association desired to establish in the public mind was that in a measure which gravely concerneo rhe health of the peoplo of New Zealand, the medical profession had been In no way consulted. This the Prime Minister had now made quite clear, anc* in addition he had shown that prior to committing itself to the Bill about to be brought down, the Government had no intention of seeking that practical advice which the association alone could give. The general public would not be misled by tlie statement that so far the Bill had not come before Cabinet, and in these circumstances it was quite on reasonable for the B.M.A. to expect a copy or any specific information concerning the contents. The point was, said Dr. Jamieson, that in drafting the Bill Cabinet must have given the draftsmen the necessary decisions the Government had arrived at, and in such an important matter as the health of the people of the Dominion, the association submits that Cabinet would have been better advised to have sought the practical criticism of the association.

He contrasted the position with the Education Amendment Bill, a draft of which had been in the hands of those interested in education for months past and subjected to public criticism. A hundred thousand friendly society members would learn with interest for for the first time, that they had agreed unconditionally to a measure of whose provisions they had no detailed knowledge, and the general effect of which must lead to the eventual extinction of their orders. The general public would observe that they were to have no more than a general idea of the provisions of the Bill until the powerful parliamentary majority was ready to force it on the country irrespective of the feelings of the people and that Bill envisaged Government by regulations and Orders-in-Council of matters intimately affecting the personal lives of each individual.

He said that the Government would not be able to complain of difficulties it alone had created. The time to seek cooperation was in advance, not after a position had been brought about which rendered co-operation impossible