MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13857, 21 March 1907, Page 8

MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

TO THE JSDITOII. . Sir,-In your issue of tho sth inst., appear< ing m the report of the opening address of Dr Barnctt, president, of the 8.M.A., in the following paragraphlt was hoped that at any rate some of the various questions at issue between tlio doctors and tho friendly societies would have been settled in a friendly fashion at the conferenoo arranged for to-morrow. Unfortunately— not to say vexatiously—this conference lies fallen through owinjj to tlio friendly societies, for a second time, failing to appoint delegates. I'lirthcr, in your editorial of the same issue, you attribute the failuro to hold tho conference "to some neglect on the part of tho Friendly Soaicties." Permit me, sir, spaco to lay the facip before your readers, when I feel sure all will admit that tho above chargcs arc both misleading ami unfair. The Friendly Societies Colonial Executive was approaclied bv tho B.M.A. somo time towards the end of last year with the suggestion that, delegates shouJd lie appointed to attend the ahovo conference, to be held in your city during .this month.y Tho executive favourably entertained _ tho suggestion, and forthwith flssued a. circular to tho various districts throughout tlio colony, outlining the proposals of the 8.M.A,, and requesting opinions and suggestions—lirst, as to the advisability of holding the conference; second, as, to the appointment of delegates; and third, as to tho several items submitted by the B.M.A as a basis for the proposed conference. By March I a largo number of replies wero to hand, tho majority of which supported the proposal to hold a conference. In most cases tho matter was deemed to bo of 6uch importance as to have it considered hy tho annual district meetings held about tho time. There were, however, a number of important districts holding meetings subsequent to the proposed date of the conference, and in order that these might lwve an opportunity of expressing their opinion, tho cxocutivo decided that it was desirable tho conference should be postponed to a. later date. The B.M.A. was duly written to this effect, and, in view of this fact, it is somewhat surprising to hear complaints of " vexatious neglect." The executive is particularly desirous that tho confcrenco shall bo thoroughly representative, "that its results may be productive of the greatest amount of usefulness, and it is solelv on this account that delegates wero not sent. Prior to the men tine of the B.M.A a communication should liavo reached its secretary, in which the executive proposes that the confcrenco should lie held in Wellington . (as beine the most central), and suggests that the B.M.A. appoint delegates to confer with members representing the wholo of the Friendly Societies. It is to this proposal that we now await a reply. Tho fact must, not lie last sight of that tliero are a largo number of districts ti> consult with, and in a matter of such importance it was not the intention of the executive to act in a manner likely to prejudice tho result of tlio conference, which would inevitably have been tho result |iad matters , been precipitated in any way. In view of these facts, no discourtesy 1 towards the doctors can bo fairly charged against tho executive. In your issue of'tho 6th inst., Bro.MaePc. district, secretary A.0.F., in a letter to the secretary of the 8.M.A., states that thai hedy "is labouring under a.misapprehension. and act in? in the belief that, what is known as tlio Friendly Societies' Council represents tho Friendly Societies of New Zealand" I presume thai the body referred to is the Friendly Societies' Colonial Executive, and, this hcing so, it ..would , seem that liro. Maclic (who was a deleeati to tho recent F.S'. Conference lidd in Wei- [ lington) exhibits a singular lack of memory, i The following is a copy of the resolutior i of the confcrenco (which was attended bv 43 delegates, representing every Friendly Society in New Zealand), authorising (ho 1 constitution of ihe executive: —"That tho ; Wellington Friendly Societies' Council 1)6 ; requested' to act as a Colonial Executive to watch over tho interests of Friendly i Societies, and communicate with the various ; orders on any matter affecting their interest and net in conjunction with anv 'Inly accredited parliamentary agentof any society in this colony." This executive has held regular meetiilgs, which have been attended by parliamentary agents of many of tho societies, and a nuieber of the districts -hav<* readily subscribed funds towards its up-keoD. Further comment in this conncction is surely unnecessary, and it is to lie regretted thai any Friendly Society member should endeavour to belittle the executive and its efforts : to further the good work of Friendly Societies as a whole.—l'am, etc.. . A. Lkicii lIUKT, , President Friendly Societies' Colonial l ' Executive.

Wellington, March 19,