B.M.A. Chairman Scouts Minister’s Boycott Allegations

Northern Advocate, 13 May 1939, Page 8

B.M.A. Chairman Scouts Minister’s Boycott Allegations

[Per Press Association. Copyright ] WELLINGTON, This Day.

AN EMPHATIC PROTEST AGAINST THE ACTION OF THE MINISTER CF HEALTH, THE HON. P. FRASER, IN RAISING THE QUESTION OF A POSSIBLE BOYCOTT BY THE PROFESSION OF THOSE MEMBERS SERVING UNDER THE MATERNITY BENEFIT REGULATIONS WAS MADE BY DR. J. P. JAMIESON, CHAIRMAN CF THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE COMMITTEE OF THE NEW ZEALAND BRANCH OF THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

“I cannot,” said Dr. Jamieson, “allow such a serious allegation to pass without immediately repudiating it on behalf of the whole of the medical profession throughout New Zealand, and entering ,an emphatic protest against the action of the Minister in giving expression to it.

111-Fcunded Fear. < “The Minister states: T have been informed some practitioners fear that if they sign the contract in accordance with their own wishes, opinions and consciences, they run the risk of professional injury through deliberate non-co-operation on the part of their fellow practitioners.’ “So ill-founded is this fear in the Minister’s own belief that he hastens to add: ‘From my knowledge of the medical profession, I have no hesitation in stating my belief that neither the official organisation nor any responsible sections of the profession would stoop to such methods,’ Why Did Minister Speak. “As the Minister himself had no belief in the allegation, then surely he had no right to put it forward. Yet he goes on to suggest methods for dealing with what he knows to be an unthinkable and wholly imaginary situation. “ ‘lf, as is most unlikely,’ says Mr Fraser, ‘.any irresponsible section or individual would be so misguided as to attempt any such retaliatory methods, then as soon as the attention of the Government was drawn to the fact steps would immediately be taken to combat such reprehensible action, and the full protection of the State would be extended to the practitioners against whom such methods are used. The boycott weapon is dangerous .at all times, and in all circumstances, and would earn the reprobation of all decent people if applied in any form, or under any pretext, where the lives of mothers and babies are involved and possibly in danger.’ Suggestion Repudiated. “How can this latter statement,” commented Dr. Jamieson, “be reconciled with the Minister’s previous expression of his disbelief, based as it is on his intimate knowledge of the profession? In ordinary justice, the serious nature of the charge demands further particulars of the source and character of the Minister’s information.

“On behalf of the whole profession, I again repudiate the suggestion, which implies unworthy motive to my colleagues, and have no hesitation in saying that the Minister’s statement will be deeply resented by the profession and the public alike. I will have something further to s,ay later on behalf of the association regarding the rest of the Minister’s statement.” 5 jtf.