DOCTORS WARNED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23810, 17 May 1939, Page 10

DOCTORS WARNED

STAND BY MINISTER FINAL TOME ADOPTED THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE STATE MEDICAL SERVICE (Pea United Phess Association) CHRISTCHURCH, May 16. If the medical profession) tinder the leadership of the B.M.A. is determined to persist in its opposition, then the Government will have no option but to alter the whole basis of the service and proceed reluctantly and regretfully with the establishment of a State medical service to administer the benefits oi! the Social Security Act This statement was made at the Addington School this evening by the Minister of Health (Mr Fraser) at the Labour Party's opening meeting in the Chris tchurch South byelection campaign. " The offer of co-operation," the Minister said, " bears a remarkable resemblance to dictation by a minority to the majority of the people and to the elected Government of New Zealand. I hope we shall be able to arrange something, because co-operation is better than fighting, but that is the position of the Government." The Minister said that while the number of maternity hospitals and obstetric nurses who had signed the maternity benefits contract was very satisfactory, it was evident that the medical profession as a whole was determined, at least for the time being, on a policy of non-co-opera-tion. The attitude of the New Zealand branch of the B.M.A. raised certain important issues which must be faced by the Government. "The Government is pledged to institute the medical benefits under the social security scheme." the Minister said. "An annual amount whl.h is at least equivalent to the combined annual incomes of the medical profession has been estimated and will be allocated for the purpose. "It is recognised," Mr Fraser added, "that a State medical service would cause considerable disorganisation among the medical profession of the Dominion and because of these likely consequences is not to be lightly undertaken; but I think it is only fair that the inevitable result of a policy of non-co-operation, opposition, and consequent obstruction should be pointed out at this stage."