Mr Rutherford: The honorary staff had no right to ask a man what he is able to pay. It was for the Board, and not the doctors, to say who should be admitted. (Observer, 07 July 1906). Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/6888207 Suggestions for legislative restraint upon the operations of the British Medical Association were made by Mr. R. Fletcher in the House of Representatives recently. He gave notice to ask the Minister of Internal Affairs if he would amend the Medical Practitioners Act, 1914, in the interests of the welfare of the general public of New Zealand, as follows :- (1) To insert a clause to the effect that any applicant for registration as a medical practitioner in New Zealand, if his application has been rejected by the Medical Board, shall be entitled to sit for any prescribed examination, and, on passing such examination, provided that he be of good moral character and repute, he shall be entitled to registration. This provision, he explained, was made in previous Acts and there did not appear to be any reason for its deletion. (2) To insert a clause making it compulsory for any Medical Practitioner registered and practising in New Zealand to attend in consultation when, so required by any duly registered practitioner provided that a fee of not less than \u00a31 1s. be tendered for such consultation, failing which that he be struck off the Medical Register and be not allowed to practise for a period of six months. It is an acknowledged fact amongst the medical faculty in New Zealand, says Mr. Fletcher in a note, that cases have occurred wherein it is positively detrimental for a medical man to assert his independence of the British Medical Association in different parts of the Dominion. The aforesaid Association, having locally formed itself into a ring or trust, and having practically insisted in an agreement with a numerous section of the public that the Association will only consult with those eligible for membership to it, is thereby a menace to the well being of public life, and the free practice of the medical profession. (3) To include in an amending Act the widening of the University system by more fully assisting all Universities with medical schools for the youth of New Zealand who desire to follow a medical course and further to nationalise our medical system. NZMJ October 1915

Mr Rutherford: The honorary staff had no right to ask a man what he is able to pay. It was for the Board, and not the doctors, to say who should be admitted. (Observer, 07 July 1906). Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/6888207 Suggestions for legislative restraint upon the operations of the British Medical Association were made by Mr. R. Fletcher in the House of Representatives recently. He gave notice to ask the Minister of Internal Affairs if he would amend the Medical Practitioners Act, 1914, in the interests of the welfare of the general public of New Zealand, as follows :- (1) To insert a clause to the effect that any applicant for registration as a medical practitioner in New Zealand, if his application has been rejected by the Medical Board, shall be entitled to sit for any prescribed examination, and, on passing such examination, provided that he be of good moral character and repute, he shall be entitled to registration. This provision, he explained, was made in previous Acts and there did not appear to be any reason for its deletion. (2) To insert a clause making it compulsory for any Medical Practitioner registered and practising in New Zealand to attend in consultation when, so required by any duly registered practitioner provided that a fee of not less than \u00a31 1s. be tendered for such consultation, failing which that he be struck off the Medical Register and be not allowed to practise for a period of six months. It is an acknowledged fact amongst the medical faculty in New Zealand, says Mr. Fletcher in a note, that cases have occurred wherein it is positively detrimental for a medical man to assert his independence of the British Medical Association in different parts of the Dominion. The aforesaid Association, having locally formed itself into a ring or trust, and having practically insisted in an agreement with a numerous section of the public that the Association will only consult with those eligible for membership to it, is thereby a menace to the well being of public life, and the free practice of the medical profession. (3) To include in an amending Act the widening of the University system by more fully assisting all Universities with medical schools for the youth of New Zealand who desire to follow a medical course and further to nationalise our medical system. NZMJ October 1915