MEDICAL MEN

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 41, 20 February 1929, Page 6

MEDICAL MEN

B.M.A-CONFERENCE

MAYORAL WELCOME

PRESIDENT INDUCTED

The Mayoral reception of the delegates to the annual conference. of the New Zealand .branch of-tho British Medical Association, and the ceremony of the induction o£.tho new president "(Dr. J. S. Elliott), "took placo at the Town Hall last evening. There was a largo attendance of members of the medical profession and leading citizens. The *■ hall was brightly.decorated, and the scene quite; an impressive one. Dr. H«Douglas (Hamilton), the retiring president, said that the British Medical Association had a duty which it owed to the public, and they hoped and 'thought, that''Wjith the co-operation of the Medical Association and the Health Department that a great deal more cpuld be done, for the people of New Zealand. The profession was very proud to have with them at the present conference. several noted visitors from Australia and a distinguished visitor from London, Mr. Sampson Haudloy. FAITH AND EFFICIENCY. Tho Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup), on behalf of the citizens, extended a hearty welcome to. the visitors. The doctor,' he 'said','could not do las lje.;t work unless the: patient had faith in him. With faith on the part of the, patient, and'efficient work, on the part of the doctor, the result was a cure. He studied tho health statistics 'issued periodically, and it ..was gratifying to him to note that Wellington haa tiitf lowest death-rate of the chief cities aiid towns of the Dominion, ani ho was, he thought* justified in claiming for the civic authorities some part o£ tho credit for.that nappy position. He alluded to the good work done by the modiial profession, especially amongst the suffering-pqcir. Dr.| Douglas said the profession was deeply conscious of the valuable assistance rendered by Sir Joseph Ward in the past in connection with health and hospital matters in the Dominion. GOVERNMENT CO-OPERATION. The Prime Minister (tho Bight Hon. Sir Joseph Ward):said that the Government was'anxious to extend to the British Medical. Association and their overseas visitors all the assistance it could, and co-operate in every way in tho wonderful work they wero doing. He desired to say that the medical profession had a good friend in the Government. He alluded to the splendid achievements of the profession in tho older countries, and said that "We were proud to know that in this country we were, in a small way, doing all we possibly could for the promotion of the public health." The Minister of Health (tho Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) also welcomed the visitors, and said that it was a pleasure to him to take part in some of the proceedings of tho Medical Conference. He spoke of the groat responsibilities of the medical profession, and acknowledged its splendid work, particularly in certain times of national emergency. Mr. Sampson Handley had alluded to tho value of optimism in connection with cancer, and the speaker ventured to suggest that a spirit or' optimism was essential, also, in connection with other scourgos.

In inviting Dr. J. S. Elliott to take over the duties of president of thp association, Dr. Douglas alluded to the skill and scholarly attainments of the new 1 president, and to the keen interest ho had always taken in thb affairs of the association, and oti, tlio profession. Ho then pinned on Dr. Elliott the badge of president of the association. •. : In returning thanks to tho profession for his election to tho high oflico of president, Dr. Elliott expressed regret that they would not hav,p with them till next day a distinguished visitor from Britain, Sir Watson Cheyne. For many, years ho had been assistant to Hint'great and good man, Lord Lister; aml\ apart from Lord Lister tliero was no one who did more to bring the boon of antisoptics to tho human race than Sir Watson Choync. They had with them another distinguished visitor — Mr: Sampson IXandley—ono of tho most eminent London surgeons, lie invited Mr. Handlcy to address tho meeting. GREETINGS FROM HOME. Mr. Sampson liandlcy acknowledged tho wolcomo wheih had boon extended to himself and Mrs. ' Handlcy during their presont visit. He brought cordial greetings from tho profession at Home, and said that ho desired to express the admiration of the .profession in Britain of the vigour, success, and public spirit of tho New Zealand branch of tlie British Medical Association. Ho was pleased to have had tlio opportunity of visiting this beautiful country. " In Now Zealand ono saw a great British Dominion in tho full vigour of its mighty youth, and that was a great and inspiring sight to ono coming from the Old Country.

The president, Dr. J. S. Elliott, tiicn delivered his prosidentiiil .'address, which ia reported clsowhero in this issue. Tho proceedings concluded \y\lh. a social meeting, arid a reception by Ilio, president and Mrs. Elliott.