Another Denial

Northern Advocate, 4 July 1939, Page 3

Another Denial

[Special to “Northern Advocate”'] WELLINGTON; This Day. A report emanating from Christchurch to the effect that doctors there had decided to support a North Island proposal that the Government’s offer for maternity cases should be accepted under certain conditions, was described as containing misstatements and inaccuracies by Dr. J. F. S. Jamieson, chairman of the National Health Insurance Committee of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, in a statement on Saturday. Dr. Jamieson said he could not allow the statement to stand without correction. “It was made without the authority of the Canterbury division of the association, and contains misstatements and inaccuracies, especially in that it implies a change of attitude on the part of the profession,” ho said. il The position is that the council of the association has submitted for the consideration of its members a confidential memorandum containing proposals for operating the maternity benefits under the Social Security Act. These, in effect, are modifications of the original proposals of the association for _a cash benefit to the patients. While the matter is under consideration, it is clearly not possible, nor desirable, to make any statements as to the exact nature of the proposals. Each of the 14 divisions throughout New Zealand makes its own decision on the matter, and then reports to the central committee dealing with the question. This committee will meet on Wednesday.”