“ Will Have to Use Strong Measures "

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 110, 10 May 1941, Page 6

“ Will Have to Use Strong Measures "

Government Threat to Doctors PALMERSTON NORTH LETTER CAUSES EXPLOSION Pfer Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. 1 ‘Nobody likes to wield the big stick or cares to have to force people to do things that they will not do voluntarily but at the sam# time the actions of some people make that course not merely desirable but imperative,” de« dared the Minister of Health (Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer) to-night after condemning an action of the British Medical Association as disclosed in a letter he read in advising doctors to terminate their present arrangements with lodges if lodges accepted the Government's subsidy. A copy of the letter purported to have been signed by Dr. Thos. H. Pullar, of the pathological department of the Palmerston North Hospital, in his capacity as honorary secretary of the Palmerston North Division of the British Medical Association, was read as follows by the Minister at the social of the Christchurch branr-h of the .Labour Party:— Dear Sir,—

I have been asked by the chairman of the National Health Insurance Committee of the British Medical Association to notify all secretaries of local friendly societies as follows: If friendly societies accept the subsidy from the Government’s Social Security Fund they will endanger their existing arrangements for medical services. All doctors who undertake lodge practice have been advised by a council of the British Medical Association (N.Z. branch) to terminate their present contracts or arrangements with lodges if this Government subsidy is accepted by the lodges.

After outlining the provisions of the Social Security Act fulfilled by tho Government, Mr. Nordmeyer said he was pleased to say how much he and tho Government appreciated the co-opera-tion of chemists in helping them to implement their promise to the people. That co-operation had been in pleasing and direct contrast to the non-co-operation spirit shown by some other people. A voice: Who do you mean?

“I suppose you will want me to say something about the doctors,” the Minister continued. * 4 l know you have been saying something yourself and that what you have been saying will not bear repetition. I know that from one end of this Dominion to the other there are people who feel very strongly about the non-co-operative spirit shown by the B.M.A. They remember, for example, that long before the war started the doctors raised objection to the Government's scheme. Now they are saying there might be something to be said for the scheme and they might co-operate, but they cannot possibly do it while the war is on. The war represents a splendid excuse for some people and for the non-co-oporative medical profession.

“I Rave said before, and. I repeat to-niglit, that I am convinced that if the rank and file of the medical profession were to have their way we would have the medical scheme operating to-day. Because of the tyranny exercised by persons in responsible positions in the B.M.A. the rank and rile are not unwilling but only unable to co-operate as they personally would like.

‘ 4 l said on one occasion recently that we were being urged from different parts of the Dominion to bring greater pressure to bear on the B.M.A. I said I understood the sentiments of the people who expressed those views and that if only the people would be patient it might not be necessary for the Government to use strong methods. Further, I said that if it were necessary the Government would not flinch from its duty to the people.

“Actions such as this latest taken by the B.M.A. brings the day closer when the Government, however anxious it may be to co-operate, however anxious it may be to extend the olive branch, however anxious it -may be to have this agreement made amicably, will have to use strong measures with an organisation which stoops—l use the term advisedly—to the tactics revealed in the letter I have read.”

The Minister continued that he understood that medical men were saying that people did,not want the scheme, that only the politicians wanted it, and. that the people had not demonstrated that they wanted it put into operation. He had advised the people to go to the doctors and show how much they wanted the scheme. The doctors replied that it was unfair to coerce them m

that way. The plain fact was that men and women of ull shades of political opinion had reached a stage when public opinion would be such that no Government would be able to fight against or neglect the demand for action.

Just as the Government was asked during wartime to take strong methods against those who sabotaged the nation's war effort so the Government in consistency must take strong measures against those wiio stoopeu. to the level indicated in the letter.

* 1 The greater part of the social security scheme has come into effect, but there is still this one thing to do, the Minister concluded. “The Government is not going to allow its promise to the people to be unfulfilled. It is not going to be baulked in its desire to implement its election pledges by a small section of the community—unquestionably a valuable section. A small section cannot possibly be allowed to usurp the function of government.”