LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6313, 13 September 1907, Page 6

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 12, The Council met at 2.30. ALLEGED MEDICAL BOYCOTT. The Hon. W. Bcchan moved that the attention of the Government be culled to a notice in the “British Medical Journal *' of July 13th, warning medical practitioners not to apply for appointments in connection with clubs or other forms of contract practice in any of certain towns and districts, without first communicating with the medical secretary of the British Medical Association or the secretary of the Auckland division. >Vhat had prompted him in moving the action was tne friction which had arisen between the Auckland United Pnendly Societies' Dispensary and the local .iranch of the British Medical Association. The friendly societies combined to secure for their members pure drugs ,ind medical attention at a reasonable fee. , hey dfiVrod <£4oo per annum and travelling facilities to their medical officers, ami the Auckland division of the British Medical Association passed a resolution pledging its members to do'all in their power to prevent any medical practitioner being appointed to the position of surgeon to the United Friendly Societies’ Dispensary, and declaring that they would ostracise any medical man who accepted the position. The association, continued the lion. W. Beehan, was accused of wishing to “sweat" medical men by requiring them to attend eight hunIrecl members, but ho knew that an Vuckland medical man with a large priite practice had also on his list at one time eight hundred friendly society ...c.uutsx-s. About half the membersaii. comprised single men, and the doctor hud only to attend those who wore sick, ..o that the friendly societies’ medical man, who had nothing to do but attend to his friendly society patients, could not bo overworked. The friendly societies' attempts to secure efficient medical men had been seriously hampered, and ho had brought the matter before Parliament in the hope that the breacli between the association and the societies could bi healed. Friendly society members were self-reliant and thrifty as a class, and bo claimed that they had a right to consideration from the Government. Good .edical men could be secured in Auckland if the ostracism was removed, and lie had been informed by some young doctors that the salary offered by tin. fVioiidly societies would be a godsend to them.

iii© lion. Dr Findlay seconded the motion, so that he could express an opinion upon the matter. He gave the mover credit for tho feeling which had operated in causing him to introduce tho motion. It’ was not a new matter, as -t had come under the notice of the late Premier in 1903. Obviously, the Government had absolutely no control over the medical profession, and it would be u difficult thing to go in for any coercive measure to interfere with those who were trying to make tho best bargain they could for their work, because the same principle animated them as the working men in their efforts to promote their own interests. No doubt the publicity which had been given to the matter would have the desired effect, and if he could help to effect an amicable arrangement between the two parties he could be rolled upon to give that assistance. The motion was adopted on the voices. POLICE OFFENCES. An amendment of -the Police Offences Act, which had been passed by tho House of Representatives, was read a second time upon the motion of the Hon. Dr Findlay (Attorney-General), who explained that it provided proper control over boxing contests, and was supported by those interested in the conduct of th© sport on right lines. . SUPREME COURT PROCEDURE. The Hon. Dr Findlay (Attorney-Gen-eral) gave notice to introduce the Supiemo Court Practice Procedure Act Amendment Act. INFANT LIFE PROTECTION. The Council further debated the motion by the Hon. Dr Collin© that the provisions in regard to inspection at present in force for tho protection of infant life should be considered. The Hon. G. Jones dealt at length with th© disclosures at Dunedin in regard to infant homes, and declared that the system of supervision of the homes showed supineness. He was astonished at such a system being continued for one day. It had been suggested that foundling hospitals should be provided, but this would make the evil permanent. The State should improve t. workers' condition and prevent overburdening with rent and taxation. The Hon. Dr Collins expressed gratification that the subject had attracted so much attention all over th© colony, and that it was receiving sympathetic consideration by tho Government. It was not possible to. absorb the Infant Life Protection Act in the Industrial School Act', because the latter did not contain some necessary provisions, but bo was satisfied that there would be an improvement under the new system. Infant homes should be under the supervision of the Inspector-General of Hospitals. Notification of birth ought not to be longer than three days in tne city, aten in the country, in fact he though 4 it would be a wise step to notify a forthcoming birth. If this was feasible H would have good results, because a nurse could be sent to advise the mother, and skilled attention could be paid to I > infant during the vital first week of life. The question of the milk supply was a very vital one. and it was the duty of th© State to see that milk was pure. Municipal control was a very important matter. If there was a cent’ depot, and all the retailers were licensed, it would cause an improvement. Sonic quality in milk was destroyed by sterilisation, so he did not advocate stenhsa tion unless an epidemic of infectious dis ease was prevalent, , The resolution was adopted on the voices. ROTORUA TOWN BILL. The Rotorua Town Bill, which ha* passed tho House of Representatives, was put through its committee stage with r’ amendment extending its scope to Ohmemutu and other native villages in the district. , . _ , K The Council roe© at 5.15.