PAYMENTS FOR MEDICAL BENEFITS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25384, 16 November 1943, Page 6

PAYMENTS FOR MEDICAL BENEFITS

Sir, —In Saturday's issue of the Daily Times ex-Judge Os.tler takes Dr McMillan to task for his remarks on prison reform, etc. Among other things, Dr McMillan suggested an inquiry into our prison system. Surely the suggestion that an inquiry be held is the right of not omy the ex-Minister of Prisons, who should know what he. is talking about, but of every citizen, therefore Dr McMillan is to be commended for urging an inquiry to be I, Sir, exercise a similar right as a citizen, and request that a public inquiry be held on the question of payments under our medical benefit panel scheme. Many social security doctors have received 15s per head for thousand of soldiers who have signed on under their panel and who in some cases have been overseas for more than three years. Obviously, doctors have not earned the many thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money paid them in these circumstances, and a public inquiry to have this anomaly cleared up is surely warranted. Dr McMillan, by his suggestions on prison reform, is obviously publicly-minded, and I feel sure his comments on the above matter would be of more than passing interest to all taxpaying New Zealanders. —I am, etc.. Taxpayer. Dunedin, November 15.