HEALTH PLANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23057, 7 June 1938, Page 14

HEALTH PLANS

NATIONAL INSURANCE AUSTRALIAN TROUBLES DEMANDS OF DOCTORS INCREASE IN YEARLY FEE [from OUR own correspondent] SYDNEY, Juno 3 The fight between the Federal Government and the doctors concerning, national insurance scheme fees has m-. i creased in bitterness, and the propa- J ganda of both sides indicates that tliey intend the struggle to be decided bv public opinion. The doctors are asking for amelioration of a number of conditions under the scheme, and the Government, while willing to.grant some relief, is adamant in opposing an increase of 4s in the proposed ice of lis a year per insuret person. The Government takes its stand oil an agreement it made with the j Federal council of the British Medical j Association, including the iee of lis a year. The general practitioners, who allege that their incomes will be disastrously lowered on that basis, seek to repudiate the agreement on the grounds that there Avas no prior consultation between them and the Federal Council and that they were unaware that the lis a year fee had been fixed. State Branches Divided The State branches of the British Medical Association are divided on the question. Victoria has agreed to the fee, and South Australia seems likely to accept. The principal opposition to the fee is in New South Wales, where general practitioners are practically unanimous in opposing it. The New South Wales council of the British Medical Association has decided to recommend members to refuse service under the national insurance scheme. Members of the council defend the association's move as tho only stand itcould take against what it considers an inadequate fee. ' All members of the British Medical Association ha»*e been asked, by letter, to state their attitude to the scheme. Tho plebiscite will ask: "Are you prepared to accept service if the bill becomes law at a capitation fee of lis per' year an insured person?" Proposals that the association should instruct all members to strike against the scheme were defeated in favour of the plebiscite. Prime Minister's Attitude "Tho Government does not contemplate a fight with the medical profession of Australia," said the Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons. "I still hope that the British Medical Association will fall in with the national insurance scheme in its present form. I do not think that the profession will stand out against a plan that gives such benefits to all classes of the community. We invite the widest publicity possible to the claims of the British Medical Association that the lis capitation fee is too small. I think the profession will decide to co-operate. There will be no delay in Parliament. We must get the bill passed. The other matters can be attended to afterward." "What would happen if, after the bill was passed, the doctors still refused to co-operate?" Mr. Lyons was asked. "Are > any special provisions being made for such an emergency?" "No. The Government does not think they will be necessary," lie replied. CHIEF OF POLICE NEW SOUTH WALES FORGE DEPUTY APPOINTED MR. T. J. LYNCH [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY, June 3 Tho Deputy Commissioner of Police, New South Wales, Mr. T. J. Lynch, yesterday became Acting Commissioner relieving Sir. W. J. MacKav, who, on the advice of the Police Medical Board, which found that ho was temporarily unfit for duty, has begun three months' sick leave. During the afternoon Mr. Lynch spent much time conferring with Mr. MacKay. , Tho Metropolitan Superintendent, Mr. Collings, who was in the country on extended leave, has been recalled. Mr. MacKay has not yet decided whether he will spend his three months' sick leave on an ocean trip or at his. woek-end cottage on tho Hawkesbury River, near Berowra. For some time ho has spent every weekend there, and has frequently entertained house parties. Mr. Lynch, who has acted as Commissioner for long periods during the absence abroad of Mr. MacKay, is regarded as a capable administrator, with a long and excellent polico record which has won him tho confidence and the admiration of tho force. Ho was for years one of the State's most prominent criminal investigators, and has served in many administrative positions. MASCOT AERODROME RESERVATION PROPOSAL AIRPORT FOR MELBOURNE [from our own correspondent] CANBERRA, June 2 The Kiugsford Smith Aerodrome, Mascot, before very long may bo used entirely for commercial aviation. When that happens another smaller aerodrome will be established for private flying. This is the idea the Ministry is keeping in mind in carrying out its plans to develop the airports of the capital cities. A modern flying field is to be established in Melbourno. Reports on tho respective merits of Fishermen's Bend and Essendon have been received by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Thorby. Their tenor suggests that the Ministry is almost certain to abandon tho idea of establishing an aerodrome at Fishermen's Bend and to concentrate on the development of tho Essendon field. Tho reports indicate that tho cost of establishing an aerodrome at Fishermen's Bend would bo much heavier than improving Essendon, where £IOO,OOO has already been Bpent; and that flying conditions are much more satisfactory at Essendon than at Fishermen's Bend, which is in > a highly industrialised area and subject to fogs and heavy smoke clouds.