LOSS OF LIBERTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24085, 2 October 1941, Page 11

LOSS OF LIBERTY

PAR NELL MEETING CHANGED FORM OF BILL OBJECTIONS NOT REMOVED "Thp essential things are still there; we still have interference in our liberty and no say in our own traditions of work," said Dr. L. .7. Thompson, discussing the new amendments to the Social Security Amendment Bill, at a meeting attended by 200 people in the Parnell Library last night. There was still an element, of coercion in the bill, which was "cheap-jack medicine," he added. The other speakers at the meeting, over which Mr. I. J. Goldstine presided, were Dr. J. Fitzsimraons and Dr. M. G. Pezaro. A resolution calling on the Government to withdraw the bill and set up a non-political commission to inquire into the health services of the Dominion was passed without dissent. The resolution stated that the general practitioners in the district regretted they could not practise under the bill, and asked that their case be presented on the radio. "I think the Government may have hoodwinked Sir James Elliott," said Dr. Pezaro, when a man in thq audience asked for an opinion on the reported apparent favourable reception of the new amendments by Sir James. "He will find that it is not a garland of roses and that the old basic principles are still there." Asked ivhat the attitude of the medical profession would be if the amended bill should be passed. Dr. Pezaro said the doctors would not accept the hill. The Government was fearful of holding an election until it had settled the problem of the doctors, said Dr. Pezaro. That was what was holding up the election, and he could tell the audience that the Government would have to wait a long time. The maternity scheme was working well, but only because it was working on foundations laid down by the British Medical Association. BILL DENOUNCED HOSTILE TO PROFESSION Another meeting most favourably disposed to the doctors was held in St. George's schoolroom, Epsom, where about 'SOO people gathered to hear statements by l)rs. T. W. J. Johnson, C. .1. A. Griffin and C. J. Miller. Mr. R. .). Coates presided. Dr. .Johnson described the bill as definitely hostile to the profession, definitely coercive and definitely vindictive. The great increase of work thrown on chemists through the free medicine scheme was described by Dr. Miller, who said he knew shops that were dispensing from 120 to 150 bottles of medicine daily. The average increase was about 100 per cent. A motion was carried, with one dissentient, condemning the Social j Security Amendment Bill and demanding its withdrawal.