REFERENDUM BY DOCTORS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23885, 12 August 1939, Page 14

REFERENDUM BY DOCTORS

MAJORITY FAVOUR PROPOSALS THE MINISTER GRATIFIED (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Aug. 11. Little difficulty is expected by the Minister of Health (Mr P. Fraser) in reaching a complete agreement with the British Medical Association on the details of the requisite legislation and regulations giving full effect to the maternity benefits under the Social Security Act. Mr Fraser said in an interview to-night that he had heard with gratification that the majority of the doctors had agreed to the association’s proposals, “I have received an intimation from the general secretary of the association, Dr P. P. Lynch,” said Mr Fraser, “that a referendum on the proposals drafted by the association and submitted to its members has resulted in a majority vote in favour of the proposals.” The Minister expressed his gratification at the result and his appreciation of the action of the association as a whole in deciding to co-operate in extending to the mothers of New Zealand the great benefits of the maternity services provided under the Social Security Act. “I have had an opportunity of studying the proposals in the question, and subject to agreement on necessary adjustments in relation to legislation and regulations I will be pleased to recommend their adoption by the Government,” he said. “I do not anticipate any difficulty in arriving at a complete agreement on the requisite details.”