DOCTORS AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20783, 18 April 1939, Page 9

DOCTORS AND SOCIAL SECURITY

(To the Editor) Sir, —“iPhar Lap” in your Issue of Friday, commenting on my former letter regarding the stand-off attitude of the medical fraternity towards the social security scheme, dwells somewhat labouredly on the possibility of doctors who consent to assist in implementing the Act being classified as "scabs.” In my humble opinion such a possibility should be welcomed by the disciples of Aesculapius and hailed as honourable, for scabs are a mighty and necessary agent in the healing of wounds; therefore it should possess no terror to the medical man imbued with the desire to relieve pain and suffering. We, I belles rightly, ascribe great kudos to the majority of members of the medical profession for their high ideals of service, but there is a possibility that, so far as the Medical Association is concerned, as is undoubtedly the case in many industrial unions, those whose motives are not the highest exercise an undue influence in decisions and administration. 1 do not'think that the inference of “Phar Lap”, that the qualifications of overseas doctors are mediocre, is justified. Rather 1 am of the opinion that there are many who can hold their own with New Zealanders, high as the standard of the latter admittedly is.— I am, etc., CHIRON. Hamilton, April 15.