Medical Men’s View Of Health Benefits

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 6

Medical Men’s View Of Health Benefits

OPPOSITION BY HAWKE’S BAY DOCTORS From Our Own Corresnondent. HASTINGS, April 4. Members of the Hawke's Bay division of the British Medical Association are reported to be unanimously opposed to the present social security scheme, which it is stated they will not work under at present. When inquiries were made by a newspaper reporter this afternoon, it was ascertained that thf medical practitioners in this province were probably stronger in their opposition to the scheme than medical men anywhere else in the Dominion. However, the Hawke’s Bay division has decided to abide by the decision of the central council of the New Zealand branch of the B.M A., which up to the present has refused to come under the scheme. It was pointed out that the doctors in this province hold no objection to social security, but are definitely opposed to the principle of a universal scheme. They are ready to support a scheme requiring them to help those who need help, but do not believe in forcing everyone to come under a scheme.. The central council is to hold a meeting in Wellington to-morrow, when it is expected replies will be received from most of the divisions, all of which have recently had under consideration proposals put forward by the Government concerning chiefly maternity benefits. GREYMOUTH OPPOSITION GREYMOUTH, ApriM. The West Coast division of the British Medical Association has decided that the portion of the Social Security Act relating to maternity benefits is unacceptable and must remain so pending further details. No details of the health scheme, to which the profession is opposed in principle, have been received.