THE SICK & THE POOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1165, 28 June 1911, Page 4

THE SICK & THE POOR.

1 — CONFERENCE OF HOSPITAL BOARDS iSPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, CAMPAIGN AGAINST CONSUMPTION. A conferenco. of delegates from Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards thronghcut tho Dominion assembled at Parliament Builds' . ings yesterdaymorning. ' Delegates preI"- sent were:— f'v ' Wellington: :T,he Hoy. W. A. Evans f - (chairman); Alessrs. R-. Clement .Kirk ( (chairman, Hospital Committee); J. W. ! M'Jiwen (chairman, Charitable Aid Committee); G. T..London (hon. treasurer); f. ' D. M'Laren, M.l'.; 1 . Dr.; H. Hardwick [; : Smith"(mEdicat superintendent); J. Coylo I (secretary); A. H. Truebridgo (superin- [. - tendent, Charitable Aid), i Auckland: Messrs. F. M. Mackay (chair- [-< man), J, Jenkin, J. G. Rutherford, M. j-.v J. Coyle, F. J. Fanton (secretary). ['- . North Canterbury: Messrs. Horrell {■ (chairman), tho Rev. W. L. Close, Dr. f-V. ISlnckmore; R. Moore, M. Wilson, T. C. i Norris, (secretary). _ , - J: Otago: Messrs. . Jas. H. Walker (chairf man), Wm. Wilkinson, H. M. Ewing, Dr. |- 'Ales. R. Falconer (medical superintends' 'ent), J. .Jacobs (secretary). • ' | : .Ashburton: Messrs. C. J. Harper and t ;H. Friedlander (chairman). ' : t : Wanganui: Messrs. W. Ritchie and A. I C. Ritchie. . 'V, s: . Maniototo: Messrs. H. ■ Wilson (secretary), Chas. Inder (chairman). L. .'.larannki: Messrs. F.' C.' J. Bollringer t (chairman), and C. M. Lepper (secretary). ■:■Palmerston North: Messrs. Wm. Stubbs and J. G. Wilson. - Hawera: Messrs. R. H. Nolan'- (chairi man), and C. E. Parrington (secretary). I Gisbohio: Mr.-Chas. Gray (chairman). I: Waiapu: Mr.' G. F. Powell. I . Westland: Mr. T. J. M'Guigan (chair--i. ; man), . . f, . - Hawko's Bay: Messrs. W. Shrimpton S . (chairman), and J. Scheele (secretary). I■" Southland: Messrs. A. F. Hawke (chair- [ ... man), and T. Pryde (secretary). S South Canterbury: Messrs. F. R. Gils' r lingham, W. S. Maslin, and H. S. Russell. | , Stratford: Messrs. E. Marfell (chair; (■'■■■' man),, and T.'ll. Penn (secretary), f ■ Wairau: Messrs. J. G., Armstrong (act , ing-chairman), and A. J. Maclaine (secre- •'- tary).' '-. • ■v';, -Bay'of Islands: Messrs. Wm. Stewt,- art (chairman), and H. C. Blundell (secretary).. I*.- Waikato: Messrs. J. A. Young (chairr- *: man), ; and W. J. Conradi (secretary). !' AVaitaki: Messrs. Andrew Feasor (chair- ! man), jand Walter Gibb (secretary). | i ■ . Grey:: Mr.'M. Hannan (chairman). l. Nelson: Mr. Geo. "Macmahon; Mrs. C. ; T. Fell, and Mr. S. Blo'mfield.

Waipawa: Messrs. J. E, Riddell, and G. B. Ashley. : Wairarapa: Messrs. N. D.' Bunting (secretary)', H. Morison, J. D. Wilson, G. . El' Eager, and VVm. Fisher. Picton: Mr. A. J3. l''ell. ■Inangahua: Mr. E. J. fi'cantlebury (chairman). : Half: an hour was spent on assembling in election of a chairman and other Srelirainaries. Supporting a. proposal that >r. Valintino (Inspector-Gencral of Hospitals) : should be elected as chairman, Mr. beantlebury (Reefton) referred to a statement which .had appeared in one proving cial newspaper '.to the effect that Dr. Valintine, presiding over the 1908 conference, -hnd acted "most' arbitrarily." This 'statement,, said; Mr.' Seantlebiiry, was absolutely lacking in foundation. The fact was that Dr. valintine on the occasion in question had carried out his duties •with ;the utmost possible courtesy. . '. A rilimber of .other: delegates urged- Dr.Valintine to accept the office of chairman, but the Inspector-General, declined, nominating in his place Mr. J. G. Wilson (Palnßirston North), with the Rev. W. A. EvansMWellington) as deputy-chairman. immediately madefy tho conference. It was resolved that each delegate present, medical superintendents and.,officers -of-the boards ■ included,' should exercise one vote. The Rev. ;W. A. Evans presided over the morning sitting. ; : The'-'conference was';formallyopened, at 11 a.m'. by his: Excellency the Governor. Lord Islington'was introduced" to the conference, by Dr.'..Valintine, and was briefly welcomed by the Rev. W. A. Evans. i ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR. THE; MERIT OF SINGLE CONTROL. Rising to open the proceedings, his Excellency expressed pleasure at attending so a gathering of hospital authorities. He confidently anticipated that the discussion's that would take place - would lead to progress and renewed in tho respective centres, in the endeavours of the boards to grapple with tho prevention and cure of human.ysnffering. Many of tho subjects on the agenda paper were of a character with which the speaker hud been closely associated* for. many years in, the Old Country, and therefore "ho looked upon them with, special interest. As many 1 , of 'those' present: were aware, there had lately .been issued-' in '-England"a ' great, report dealing with the wliolo question of poor ■■-law . -and public . health. The. report' of the Royal Commission on the Poor Law. was one of the most' important': 1 reports that had been issued in the Old .Counhjifor many years past. It was hot merely of local interest, but was being closely'scrutinised ;by' public bodies .throughout "the;' whole Empire. There were many.-subjects dealt with in 'the report^,which were germano to tho. problems confronting boards-in;this country. The speaker had observed with great, interest and satisfaction that tho system in.New- Zealand;of governing and controlling 'hospitals and charitable aid was 'very.'similar to" Hie'-systom'a'dyoeated in the repoyfc of tho Royal Commission in England,'and particularly emphasised in what was known as tho minority report. Both'reports strongly urged that all matters of'hospitals, ,public [health, and poor law relief sh'oukLbe administered in cach district by. one and tho;.same. controlling'authority:, In New Zealand a •start had-already."beeri made-on these lines. The,,speaker, had watched, and many oiltside this/sountcy :woi)ld watch, with deep.interest tliedevelopment of this system iii'; 3S T e\v f under single ,control in; undertaking.-the prevention, as well as., the relief, -of sickness, and poverty. Tp wait until .an evil arose before trying to-apply a 1 remedy involved a very great waste.of money and of human energy. Thip'.had .been exemplified .in-Eng-land in connection with the great problem of consumption,' and' in dealing with' the housing problem. Upon many subjects figuring 'in the order paper the speaker held very, strong views, but in his temporary position as Governor of the Dominion he must subordinate his opinions and be content to be a listener.

Medical Inspection in Schools. His Excellency said he hoped that - a country like New Zealand, noted for its advanced social legislation, would at no very distant date find itself able to establish throughout tho country a system of medical inspection of school children. Tho system had been in force in England- for wo or three years, and reports of medical officers of health at Home made it abundantly clear that the inspection was necessary. The evils which made tho inspection necessary were not, of course, so acute in New Zealand as ill England. At Home it had been found that .10 or 40 per cent, of tho children attending elementary schools were suffering from some incipient complaint, curable in its early fitages, but capable of becoming chronic. Speaking of tho administrative control of tuberculosis, his Excellency said ho was glad to note that tho hospitnl authorities in New "Zealand wero desirous of attacking this scourge on thoroughly comprehensive linos, and that not only would every. possible means bo brought into operation to cure tho disease, but, that active means would bo taken to attack it at the earlie.st possiblo stage. Within recent date in England it had been shown that CO out of 1000 peoplo who died, 'died of tuberculosis. It was much easier to prevent tho disease breaking out than to attempt to cure it when it had reached an. advanced stage. His Excellency commended the efforts that were being made to deal with insanitation and diseaso in Maori settlements, and opined that-capable nurses going into these places would prevent a great deal of t.ronble and disease. The appointment of bacteriologists to work in co-operation wiih chief surgeons at thp grea» hospital

I centres would be another valuable enter- | prise. Medical Aid .for the Poor. Touching upon the subject of poor law I medical relief, his Excellency remarked that all would agree with him that medical services should be accessible to all classes ol the community. Fortunately very few peoplo in' New Zealand wero unable to pay something towards the cost of their medical treatment. Fees should lie received wherever they were receivable without inconvenienco .or hardship. District^'• nursing was one of the most important topics to be discusscd. The benefit arising from tho visits of a skilled and tactful nurse, particularly in a country like this, where !so many places were isolated and detached, was incalculable. Tho conferenco .would also discuss the question of co-operation betweenpublic •and private charitable agencies. 'It was veryimportant that .' overlapping and duplication should bo avoided. These evils had obtained alarming dimensions at Home. In New Zealand a great waste of timo and money could bo avoided. ' Concluding; his 1 Excellency expressed a hope that tho discussions of the conference, by leading to increased efficiency, might tend to tho health and welfare of tho community, and also to the prosperity of the Dominion of New Zealand.

.'The lie v. W. A. Evans remarked that his .Excellency's address would form ■ a' very valuable aid and contribution to the work of tho conference Tho speaker would move a very hearty voto of thanks ; to his Excellency for opening the conference. The .vote was carried by acclamation. A LETTER FROM THE MINISTER. ' ECONOMIES EFFECTED. Dr. Finch read a communication from tho, Minister-in-Charge of Hospitals and Charitable Aid (tho Hon. G. Fowlds), in which tho latter regretted his inability to be present at the opening of tho conference, and_ stated that he hoped ,to attend before it closed. The conference, the Minister remarked, was fortunate in j having present his Excellency tho Governor, who had an extensive and varied experience of- the matters that would bo discussed. It would no doubt be uppermost in the minds of delegates; tho Minister continued, that to bring tho new hospital scheme fully into operation would involve a considerable increase in expenditure. If . they went carefully into the matter, , however, they would find that no great increase in expenditure need ho ehtailed if the economy now strikingly manifest iii conncctioii witli tho achuinistration of hospitals and charitable aid i were maintained. The returns available showed that a very considerable saving had been offected sinco tho new Act came into operation. The question must no doubt arise aa io the most convenient number of mombors serving upon tho boards. doubt somo of the delegates would consider that a proportion of the boards were unwieldy. Personally, the Minister thought no hoard should havo more than twelve members, nor. any committeo more than five. Continuing, the Minister expressed a hope that tho authorities concerned would co-operate in promoting a scheme for the medical inspection of school children. Reports ■from medical officers showed that thirty per cent, of the children attending State schools needed some form of medical attention. To put a scheme of this nature into operation would cost about ,£15,000 per annum. This would mean that a sum of ,£7500 would have to bo found bv the ratepayers. _ It was, however, not' merely a question of pounds, shillings and pence. The saving engendered, by.* producing an increased number of "effi-: cients" could not lip over-estimated. . Noauthorities could more properly undertake the direction of this work than tho'j Hospital Boards. The scope of a hospital board's duties was no longer restricted to the 'four walls of its institution. In this connection -it was satis-'! factory to noto that the Inspector-General had come to an arrangement with the' medical profession as to the fees to be charged- 'in'reSpect- of-"patients'-'granted-nodical assistance at the public cost. It! would bo the duty ,of the boards to see' that this generosity was not imposed upon. Such services must not bo exploited by the meaii and tho thriftless. At. prtsqnt.i the' Minister remarked,. .-not sufficient nurses were being trained to pro-' vide adequate assistance in maternity' in 'the country districts. Concluding, tho Minister hoped that tho result of tho Conference would bo a better understanding between the Department Vaiid tho. boards,' siich as> wmld bring',- ab'ont' a hospital system ; which: would'be the admiration and envy of tie: civilised world. There was no doubt thatthis lay within tho power-of delegates. INSPECTOR-GENERAL ON UNIFORMITY. SUGGESTED EXTENSIONS. Dr. Valintino remarked, in tho course, of a brief address, that most of tho remits suggested extensions of the hospital system, and, better still, tho dominant' note of all the remits was uniformity, uniformity. During the. past three years many changes had occurred that were of interest to hospital boards. Their, duties-had been extended; they were now responsible'for tho prevention as well as tho euro of disease. Tliis country enjoyed many natural advantages. It remained to foliov 'up these advantages in •preserving the public health. It was triie that during tho last three" months eight cases of plague, with ono death, had been reported at Auckland, but there -was absolutely no likelihood, of this disease spreading. If tho local authorities would but act in concert, consistently, and not spasmodically, as had too often been the case in the past, thero would, bo no reason to apprehend , that the disease would spread to other ports.' There had been 791 deaths in the Dominion last'.year from tubercnlosis." Happily, however, • there was every reason to believe that this disease' was on tho decrease. The 'number of deaths from cancer during the past year was. 711. Here, tho speaker was afraid, there was evidence that this disease was on tho increase. Whether, however, this was due to a better diagnosis by. medical practitioners or to an- actual increaso it was very- hard to say.' Many persons were now admitted to hospitals in the Dominion suffering from diseases that' might have been prevented had the sufferers had access to early and'efficient medical-advice. Efforts must be mado to get at the early case. Dr. Valintino paid a tributo to tho good work already done by district, and maternity nurses, and foreshadowed a considerable extension of their activities.

The conference adjourned at':12.15 p.m, until 2 o'clock. <•• -