DOCTORS MOBILISED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12070, 27 July 1917, Page 4

DOCTORS MOBILISED.

BALLOT OF ALL MEDICAL MEN FOR WAR WORK. PROPOSALS OF B.M.A. VIEWED FAVOURABLY BY MINISTERS. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 26. A delegation from the British Medical Association "waited on the Ministers of Defence and Public Health with a proposal for the mobilisation of the medical profession for "war work. Jjb was pointed that though the supply of doctors for the milriaij had been adequate till now, difficulties would increase presently to such an extent that it would not be possible to got a continuance of satisfactory services. The matter required careful and elaborate organisation, but. the association was prepared to undertake it. It; -ivas understood that military requiremeruts for service abroad "were five medical men a month. 11l addition, doctors had been required for hospital ships, home service ill camps and on .Medical Boards.

The. opinion of the association was that the present voluntary method had been strained about to breaking point, and the medicnl profession, with no possible suggestion of self-interest, proposed to allow themselves to be mobilised and conscribed for foreign and home service. The crux of the .scheme was that it should be. worked ithrough an Advisory Board set up by the British Medical Association, which board should bo recognised by the Government and. endowed with the necessary powers. The board would be informed of the number of medical men required, and a, ballot would lie dra.wn from the men on the register in New Zealand to determine who should bn allotted those duties. Somo would be exempted on the ground of age, uusuitabiiity, public interest or undue hardship. The ballot would be conducted by the same people drawing the military ballots and at the same time. With regard to pay, the request was that every medical man conscripted should be guaranteed a net income of £6OO, equal to the pay of a captain, in it'lle N.Z.M.C., and to ensure, tins, allowances would have. to bo given for expenses. The Hon G. W. Russell, asked whether the British Medical Association would consent to ha.ve on the Advisory Board General Henderson, representing the Defence Department, and Dr Yalinr.rne, representing the Public Health Department, The deputation was willing to accept the suggestion, and also agreed that all medical men, whether members of the association or not, should be conscripted. Sir James Allen, replying, said that he Would be glad. !to see an organisation created by which tho Department could be provided with medical men for the front, for camps and for Medical Boards. It was desirable that medical examinations of tho Second Division should b 0 speeded up. The Hon G. W. Russell thanked the British Medical Association for its amended proposals, which, ho believed, would go a long way towards removing the difficulties existing. Ho suggested tnat details of tho scheme should be sett down in writing, and that representatives of the association should meet to discuss it with him.