Angry Outbursts' By Doctor Claimed

Press, Volume C, Issue 29604, 29 August 1961, Page 16

Angry Outbursts' By Doctor Claimed

(H2. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 28. The Director-General of Health, Harold Bertram Turbott, said in the Supreme Court, Wellington, today that, when he had tried to be tactful with the Director of the Division of Clinical Services, Archibald William Stopford Thompson, there were angry outbursts from Thompson. Thompson is sueing Turbott for £4OOO for alleged slander.

The action arises from words alleged to have been spoken by Turbott to a selection committee aet up by the Public Service Commission to consider Thompson’s applicaticu for ' the post of Director of Public Hygiene Mr Justice Leicester is on the Bench. Mr F. D O’Flynn is appearing for Thompson, and Mr E. D Blundell, with him Mr L. M. Greig, for Turbott. During his examination Mr Blundell referred to the plaintiff’s allegation that Turbott in a written statement to the Public Service Board of Appeal disparaged and minimised his abiliy. together with his military and civil experience and professional qualifications, and generally attempted to defeat Thompson’s appeal with statements which were misleading or untrue. Continuing his evidence, Turbott said the preparation of the case in opposition to Thompson’s appeal against the appointment of Dr. D. P. Kennedy for the post did not vary substantially from the approach made in such appeals. “Reasonably Fair” He considered the prepared statement was reasonably fair and comprehensive. The person appealing had the chance in his written statement to make the most of his accomplishments. He was legally represented and could bring out anything to be highlighted. Referring to allegations of improper motive on his part, Turbott said he did not write the statement, but quite apart from that, the two applicants for the post had reasonably comparable experience in handling the requirements in regard to communicable diseases. Old ideas were no longer «o important. It was not row so important to worry about diseases that were the background of Thompson’s work, because Immunisation was now relied on. Turbott said there had been occasions when he had had to criticise Thompson for something he had done and he would be met by an angry outburst. Inside Department Thompson had given evidence that he had his temper under control. Turbott said he was perfectly sure that was true outside the department, but inside he was not so much on guard. On one occasion Dr. J. Cairney, the then DirectorGeneral. was not prepared to publish a study by Thompson on nutrition in the department's annual report because in his opinion it was not worthy of publication. Cairney referred it to him (Turbott) who agreed with him and suggeeted it be referred to the department’s nutrition adviser. Cairney suggested to Turbott it would be nicer if he went and explained to Thompson why it was not being published. He did so as tactfully as he could, and was met with a display of anger. On another occasion Cairney sent Turbott to Auckland quietly to gdvise Thompson to be a little more cautious in remembering the implications of newspaper public relations. There had been some slight difference of opinion between Thompson and the Auckland City Council. |A> Articles Sound Some articles by Thompson appeared in the newspaper. Cairney and Turbott both agreed they were sound and that Thompson was doing what he thought was his duty. But there were political repercussions, which those behind the acenes in the department in Wellington had to deal with. It was good public education work Thompson had been doing in those articles, and he was very distressed at the head office approach and showed an outburst of anger. Thompson later came to him and apologised. Referring to Thompson’s higher qualifications as a phySteign than those of Dr Kenned?T" < ThoMMson’a thesis for that qualification was on diseases of the-blood which was not Of importance to the public health side of the department’s work. Referring to Dr. Kennedy's war service, Turbott said he began as a lieutenant and went steadily through the promotion ladder to lieutenant-colonel. He had much the same field service as Thompson In the Middle East and Italy. Turbott said he had grounds for thinking that Kennedy would be better than Thompson as the leader of a team. That was his assessment after constantly going round New Zealand and talking to medical officers of health, senior health inspectors nurse Inspectors and district nurses. Referring to Dr. McKay, now Medical Officer of Health for Wellington. Turbott said she first anplied for the post in 1951. Neither he nor Thompson supported ♦ he application and before that appointment she had worked under Thompson

The only background the department had to go on was an adverse report from Thompson. Cross - examined. Turbott said he paid a tribute to Thompson’s work and ability. Mr O’Flynn: You said you accepted the opinions of what your counsel called the distinguished witnesses as to his ability?—Yes. Use of “Self” “Self comes first with Thompson” is an opinion you don’t hold yourself?—lt depends entirely on the interpretation of "self.” It was quite clear to me that Thompson is a very able man and he is thinking of his future. In that sense, self is in his favour. Ambition is not more wrong with Thompson than it was with Caesar? —No. Do you say Thompson puts his interest in his career before the service? I couldn’t subscribe to that He has. worked hard for the service and worked unselfishly?—ln the sense of giving his time and energies And he has displayed an unselfishness to those with whom he worked? —Probably. , Do you remember when the medical officers of health at Palmerston North and Hamilton received Jme additional allowance for work in outlying districts? —I don't know. You may be right. Do you recall when Thompson wanted an additional salary paid in Auckland for work in Whangarei?—l don’t remember the actual incident, but I think from memory I was in favour of those men having the allowance. Extra Allowance In reply to further questions, Turbott said that an extra £5O allowance was gained by Thompson for his deputy in Auckland in consideration for the oversight of the North Auckland Health District. You challenge that he is the right man to run a team?—ln the sense of my statement I do. What do you mean by that? I thought you regarded him as inferior to Dr. Kennedy as the runner of a team? —I do. Between the two men the one is more suitable. You don’t think he puts self before the interests of the service really?—ln respect of what he thinks is good for the service and encouraging others he has done his best. Why repeat Professor Mackintosh’s statement “self comes first” at all? —I did so because I was asked, but it fits in with the -general knowledge I had of his acute ambition to get to the top. The truth is, I put it to you, that at the hearing of his appeal, "self comes first” was a proposition you were prepared to maintain as your own view?—No. That is not so. There was something in it which had the tr .th in it, but I had no wish to use it in any way to support our defence case. You remember telling us you had interviews with Mackir’osh almost every . ear from 1950 to 19567—1 thinl: I said 1950 and after that I was in London. There were discussions between you about people who had been through the London School of Hygiene 'and other New Zealanders Mackintosh knew, and these included Thompson?—Yes. You told us on Friday you

were taken aback by the professor’s remark?—Yes. And do you remember saying at the appeal you were astounded by it?—lt would be to that effect. Then you used the word startled?—That is probably right. Is it your charge that this very distinguished professor was speaking insincerely and with his tongue in his cheek back in 1946 when he. strongly. recommended Thompson?—Certainly not. There is a remarkable contrast between the two statements?—l was startled. There is nothing to account for that contrast?—l don’t know what the reason is. It could be because he felt friendly towards me and was telling me his real thoughts. Health Institute Referring to the National Health Institute, Turbott said its affairs originally were in the hands of a committee of which he was chairman. The then DirectorGeneral, Dr. Cairney, did not follow the committee's recommendations unless he agreed with them. He knew of Cairney’s displeasure about the account of Thompson’s divorce in a weekly newspaper. Mr O’Flynn: But you deny telling Thompson that because of it Cairney did not want him for the institute?— I certainly do. You were aware of Dr. Cairney’s displeasure but you didn’t learn about this “Truth” report till lately. When was lately?—ln the preparation of this case. Who told you about it? — It was in Mr Blundell’s office. Wasn’t all that showing the real reason Thompson had to be got out of the picture for the National Health Institute?—That is not the reason. In 1951 when you are alleged to have put Thompson off in this way you had in fact yourself been divorced and remarried?—That is quite true. And to boil it all down you still say the reason why Thompson was nob put forward was that all you wanted was a microbiologist?—That is all we had in any real shape at the moment. Welcoming Party Turbott agreed he returned to New Zealand from the World Health Organisation at Geneva on June 12 and that a party was held to welcome him. He denied that at the party he had communicated to Dr. Lewis, Deputy Director-General of Health, Mr Rodda, a member of the commission, or Mr Hunn, Deputy DirectorGeneral (administrative) an alleged conversation he had had with Professor Mackintosh. Mr O’Flynn: According to you. the first time you ever gave utterance to this statement (reference to a statement allegedly made at Geneva by Professor Mackintosh) was on October 13 at the meeting in your room?— That’s right. Turbott, asked by Mr O’Flynn whether he had formerly freouently lunched with Drs. Eastcotte, Cook and Davis, said he had had lunch with them "off and on.” He denied Dr. Eastcotte was correct in asserting he had never heard him (Turbott) speak favourably of Thompson. The hearing will continue tomorrow.