ALLEGED BOYCOTT.

Evening Star, Issue 11893, 22 May 1903, Page 6

ALLEGED BOYCOTT.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES AND MEDICAL MEN. HOSPITAL MISMANAGEMENT. AUCKLAND, May 22. A deputation from friendly societies waited on the Premier relative to the alleged boycott by the medical profession arising out of the establishment by the societies of a dispensary in Auckland. Mr Beuhan stated that when in Sydney he received fifty replies to an advertisement for a doctor, but when they found that it was foi the Auckland societies all withdrew, notwithstanding that they were very anxious to come. They all belonged to the British Medical Association. After ten days' inquiry he managed to secure an up-to-date man. Everything was now in working order. He feared that in the future they would have to go to America for their medical men. The Premier said that as the matter stood at the moment there was nothing the Government could do. It was entirely a matter between the societies and the British Medical Association. He had a very high opinion of the medical men in the eoleny, but thought those responsible for the present position had reduced the status »f the medical profession in the colony by the course taken. A boycott was highly reprehensible, if that was the position, but it would not be fair to jud-je ex parte, and he would like to hear the other side before coming to a definite conclusion. He did not favor the establishment by societies of a cottage hospital. The whole question regarding hospitals was in a vrry unsitisfactory state. The colony had to pay over 50 per cent, of the amount required, amounting to £45,000 to £50,000, but had no say whatever in any respect in their management. They had an inspector. He could 20 into the hospital and find wasteful extravagance and a state of things existing, in which, if the Government were doing their duty, they would not pay a shilling more; but the law was such that they could not help themselves. His colleagues felt with him that they must have some say in the matter.