ELECTION ECHOES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 120, 23 May 1931, Page 13

ELECTION ECHOES

NEW HOSPITAL BOARD

SELECTION OF COMMITTEES

ANIMATED DISCUSSION

Tho first mooting of the recently elected Wellington Hospital Board was held yesterday afternoon. Thero wore present: Mr. F. Castle (chairman), Dr. It. Campbell Bogg, Dr. I). MuedonaM. Wilson, Dr. J. Whittou, Mesdames S. Sonnott, C. H. Chapman, P. Praser, A. \1( Vicar, J. K. Preston, Messrs. W. &>Io, C. M. Luke, A. J. M( Curdy, G. and J. C. Itiddc.ll. Avologics •\vei-e received .from Messrs. A. T. Mnrkitian and I. Van Staveren. The chairmau welcomed tlio noiv mombors, and paid a tribute to the good work done by Messrs. 11.I1. Bennett and Hclliwell,- who had not been reolected. Mr. Castlo referred to the election of Dr. K. Campbell Begg and Dr. D. Maedonald Wilson, who had polled so heavily. A great responsibility had been, thrown upon their shoulders, but not nil of it, for the other members of the board must take their share of it. He assured the new members of the co-operation of the- old members of the board. They had now three- medical men on the board, including Dr. Whitton, of tlio Lower Hutt. Tho addition of three medical practitioners must strengthen the board. Mr. Castle said it had been tho practice of the chairman of the board to explain to the other members all tlio facts concerning any question which came up. The work of tho board consisted practically of three branches, namely, expenditure, recovery of fees, and relief of distress. The committees to be set up would deal with these matters. They wen! up against it this year, said Mr. Castle, to make ends meet, and it might bo necessary to curtail the expenditure further, and, if possible, increase the receipts. Tlie- relief of distress appeared to bo increasing. He -was sure the committees would work together to bring' about an improved position, so that at tho end of tho year there would not bo a serious deficit. H.O had sought the support of the staff, both stipendiary and honorary, to assist in eliminating waste, delays, and unnecessary service, and he was sure tho board would have tho cooperation of all branches of the staff in endeavouring to meet the present difficult situation. SOCIAL WELFARE COMMITTEE. Mr. C. M. Luke said that Dr. Campbell Begg and Dr. D. Maedonald Wilson wore familiar with Wellington Hospital affairs. He referred to tho fact that, a recent amendment of the law provided that the chairman occupied the office for two years, so that Mr. Castle's tenure- of that office would continue for another twelve months. Tho chairman said the business beiforo the board was the election of the committees. The General Committee, consisting of all the members, was appointed without discussion. The next question was the appointment of the Social Welfare Committee. The chairman said it was usual to consider the desire of members as to which committees they desired to be appointed. Mr. Petherick said he had been a member of the Social Welfare Committee for about 19 years, and he supposed that ho had better indicate his desire to be still a member of that committee. Dr. Bogg pointed out that under the rules the commit-too should comprise not more than eight members. A lesser number could be appointed. Mr. M'Curdy referred to the increasing burden which had been -thrown upon that committee, and he alluded 1o the recognition of the- necessity for the appointment of a sub-committee for the Hutt Valley. Several members expressed their opinion that the committees appointed should be of the same number as in previous years. Dr. Begg oaia that the arguments used in favour of the appointment of a. large Social Welfare Committee seemed to imply that the actual members should personally carry out the relief work. Ho pointed out that not only had tho Social Welfare Committee the power to co-opt any allied group of persons within their own district for the purpose of constituting an organisation satisfactory to the needs of social jwolfare, but they had been repeatedly and strongly urged by tho Health Department to co-opt such members. In spite of 'the repeated urging of the Health Department, practically no hospital board in New Zealand had made use of that power. The function of the Social Welfare Committee was to cooperate with and control all charitable organisations in the city aud act as a 'directorate of such activities. Therefore the mere number of the Social Welfare Committee was not a matter of importance. Considering tho functions of the different Hospital Board committees, he did not think tho personnel of the board should be used up to too great an extent on this side of the board's work. He intended later on to move for the appointment of additional committees. MANDATE FROM THE ELECTORS. Dr. Begg said that ho and other members of tho board had been elected to caj-ry out a definite policy which had been clearly set before tho electors. In view of the result of the voting, ho considered that they had practically a mandato from the electors to carry out the principles and reforms ho had plainly set out. Ho moved: That the members of the board ■who had intimated their desire- to bo .members of the Social Welfare Committee bo appointed as that committee. Some six members had indicated their desire to be members, and he was of opinion that tho committee should be restricted in numbers to those members. After some discussion, Dr. Begg's iuotion was put and negatived on the voices. ■ ' Dr Begg asked leave to withdraw his own name and that of Mr. Markman Dr. Begg also intimated his jutontion'to submit, at a future date, resolutions affecting committees and other branches of the board's work which, if adopted, wnuld bring about reforms, and ho hoped to convinco the board of the wisdom of the changes. Mrs. Fraser alluded to tho exceptionally heavy work done by the Social Welfare Committee —work which often lasted from 2.80 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mrs T'raser agreed that tlio time- of medical practitioners like Dr. Campbell Begg and Dr. Wilson could be better employed in other branches of hospital work rather than as members of the Social Welfare Committee, but the work of that committee had to be clone by some members of the board. She did not think that the attitude taken up by Dr. Begg was a right one, in some respects, and it was almost enough to make the speaker decline to be a member of the committee.

Mrs. M'Vicar questioned the assertion that Dr. Campbell Bcgg and those associated with him, could claim that they had s. mandate from tho electors. 'Cho speaker said she had never heard of soch a claim being put forward ho

fore by a member of tho board. All elected members were on the same footing as members of the board. DR. BEGO-'S ELECTION CAMPAIGN. Mrs. Preston pointed out that being a member of tho Social Welfaro Committee did not excludo a member from taking an equal part in other branches of the board's work. The five women members had expressed their willingness to bo members of the Social Welfare Committee, and if they wero elected it would mean that they wero taking upon themselves tho heaviest work of tho board. In ono way, the women members might regard it as a compliment. Mr. C. M. Luko doubted whether the board could accede to the claim of one member that hf> had the authority to speak for an absent member, as had been done by Dr. Campbell Begg. Mr. Luke said he had road all the statements made by Dr. Campbell Begg during the election campaign, and so far as ho could gather they were somewhat nebulous in regard to hospital reform. Tho statements consisted mostly of insinuations aud innuendoes. Dr. Campbell Begg rose to a point of - order, ; The chairman ruled that Mr. Luke , was not in order in referring to statements made during tho election campaign. ■ Mr. Luko said tho chairman had not ruled Dr. Campbell Bogg out of order in alluding to a mandate of tho electors. Tho chairman adhered to Ins ruling that statements made during the election campaign could not bo discussed. The following committees were then appointed: — Social Welfare Committee. —Messrs. Petherick, Van Stavoren, Markiiian, , Mesdaines Bennett, Eraser, Preston, M( Vicar, and Chapman. Fees Committee.—Messrs. M'Curdy, Colo, Luke, Eiddell, Mcsdraics M' Vicar and Praser. The General Committee, as already j indicated, will consist of all the mem- ] bers of tl)^ board.