DOCTORS AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Southland Times, Issue 17783, 12 July 1916, Page 5

DOCTORS AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

THE WELLINGTON’ DKAI )1,0( 'K. (Per United Press Association.) WELL! NOTON, .Inly 11. ’l'lie following official statement of the Uommittee of (ho Wellington division of the British Medical Association gives a summary of the dispute with Friendly Societies regarding payment for medical attendance. The doctors state that the annual rate of fifteen shillings, unchanged during quarter of a century, was practically sweating the profession. They submit that n minimum of twentyone shillings, with a proviso that it. he increased after the war period, represents the utmost concession affordable. The expenses of medical men have considerably increased, hut this factor is ignored by the other side- The doctors again remind the public that they claim only an increase from 3%d a week to Gd per lodge member, Including family. This means that an average lodge member’s family of four persons will have medical attendance at an average weekly cost of l ] /«d each. The npw claim involves an average increase of only %<1 per week per individual. The profession contends that lodges are able to afford the increase. The doctors regret that a difference on the question of fair payment has degenerated into an imputation of sordid motives and insinuations against professional conduct. The profession feels that It has just cause to complain at the apparent disposition of the Hons. Russell and Hanan to believe that lodge doctors, asking bare justice, havo schemed for the exploitation of Friendly Societies. Mr Russell's attitude in the role of peacemaker is, in effect, that lodge doctors should agree to n certain amount of injustice to appease Friendly Societies, and the Minister’s statements show resentment at the doctors’ unwillingness to accept less than 5d per week for tlje medical treatment of a lodge member and his family. The issue lias been clouded by allegations of a “close monopoly," and Mr Russell made a statement tantamount to a declaration that Friendly Societies will have State aid in the attempt to command medical services at an unfair rate. Circumstances oblige the British Medical Association’s executive to announce that it must be antagonistic to the importation of doctors from America and Britain to do lodge work instead of local doctors, because such a scheme is designed to give lodges an unfair advantage to the detriment of the medical profession. This attitude of the local doctors is necessary also as a duty to colleagues away at the war.