DOCTORS AND LODGES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CIV, Issue 15980, 5 June 1916, Page 4

DOCTORS AND LODGES.

WELLINGTON DISPUTE. PUBLIC INTEREST AT STAKE. (From Our Special Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, .Tuno 3. A question bearing upon tho etilL unsettled clis-pute in eiiuigton between Friendly Societies and tho British Medical Association was put to tho Minister of Public Health in the House on Friday. Mr Fletcher asked whether tho Minister is aware that tho British Medical Association, Wellington blanch, was about to consider the following motion—That during tho present lodge dispute it shall be deemed unethical for any member of the Association to meet professionally any medical practitioner who is not a. member of tho Association.'' Does tlio Minister consider that any such power of refusing consultation with medical practitioners outside members of the British Medical Association should be allowed to continue; and will bo tako any steps necessary to protect the interests of the public seeing that medical practitioners enjoy a practical monopoly by registration under the Act? Mr Russell: I a.m exceedingly surprised to hoar that there is such a proposal before the British Medical Association. Mr Fletcher: It is absolutely criminal. Mr Russell: To my mind such a pro posal is not only unethical but utterly destructive of tho rights of this country, that a.ny medical man who is a registered practitioner should for any purpose whatever refuse to meet in consultation his professional brother when his services are asked for. If any such resolution is proposed I shall certainly bring before Cabinet proposals to deal drastically with any doctor who refuses to meet any other registered practitioner when he is asked to do so. Mr Fletcher: The meeting is being held to-night. Mr Pusscll: Well. I hope somebody will convey to the British Medical Association the answer I have given this afternoon.