MANACLED MEDICOS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24078, 24 September 1941, Page 4

MANACLED MEDICOS

Sir, —Unionists the world over properly demand acceptance of the fundamental economic principle enunciated in Rerum Novarum; that is, the right of collective bargaining. But it is seriously proposed that the medical men of this country shall be denied that right! If Mr. Nordmeyer's Fascist proposal were enforced, we should have the enormous spectacle of the very first principle of unionism—the right of collective bargaining—being trampled by a Socialist Government! Even if we claim that the doctors, blast 'em, have no rights either as human beings or as members of a highly-skilled trade, where is the movement against unionism to end? Is it intended to coerce _ miners, carpenters, plumbers, etc., similarly? Anyway, as a lifelong supporter of legitimate unionism, may I he permitted to say that, lacking good health, any man would prefer the medical advice of a man whose integrity is evident,:- That integrity of character is not clear in the case of a physician so weak as to submit to economic pressure engineered by political dodgers. Hugh McHaigh.