GREY VALLEY MINERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 September 1934, Page 2

GREY VALLEY MINERS

MEDICAL ASSOCIATION MEETING A largely attended special general meeting of the Grey Valley Coal Miners’ Medical Association, was held in the Wallsend Miners’ Hall on Saturday evening. Mr J. Devlin presided. At times the meeting got out of the control of the Chairman, and order was called on several occasions. The Chairman asked the permission of the meeting to report proceedings to the Press. By a huge majority, it was moved that the meeting he reported. The Chairman explained that the business of the meeting was to consider the recommendation of the Executive that Dr Wilkinson’s agreement with the Association should be terminated in. three months. The cause of the complaint, stated the Chairman, was in regard to the testing of a man’s eyes. Five years ago, he said, when Dr Wilkinson came, the question of testing eyes was brought up. The Doctor asked the Association to buy the. necessary instruments, and he would test Association members’ eyes free of charge. A verbal agreement was the. narrived at between Dr. Wilkinson, and the Association, whereby the testing of eyes was not to come under the Doctor’s Association, work, and that he be allowed to charge a fee for such work. The agreement had worked successfully for five years.

The secretary then read a letter from Mr. Rowlands, and also a letter from Dr. Wilkinson, these being respectively as follows: — “Brunner, August 20, 1934. To the secretary, Brunner Medical Association: Dear' Sir,—l wish to lodge a complaint to the committee of the above. Association re. Dr. Wilkinson’s refusal to test my son’s eyes after receiving notice from the Canterbury Education Department’s Medical Officer, Dr. Baker McLaglan; so, if you would kindly call a meeting at your earliest convenience, Mrs Rowlands and myself would be quite willing to attend and explain the position.—Thanking you. (Signed) T. Rowlands.”

The secretary here explained that, under Rule 14, he had sent a copy of the complaint to Dr. Wilkinson, and invited him to be present at the Committee meeting. Dr. Wilkinson’s reply: —

“Brunnerton, August 21, 1934. The Secretary, Grey Valley Medical Association: Dear Sir. —Re. Mr. Rowlands’ complaint, I thank you for your invitation to be present at your meeting of August 25, hut feel that my presence is quite unnecessary. In reply to the complaint: Firstly. I am not employed by the Canterbury Education Department, nor by Dr. Baker McLagan. The notice Mr. Rowlands received was merely to point out to him that the boy’s eyes needed attention, and suggesting that I should see him. I saw the boy and looked at the back of his eyes with a special instrument. There was no disease present, and the boy merely needed testing for glasses. Secondly, it was agreed shortly after I came here that “eye testing” as distinct from “eye treatment.” was not to be included in my routine duties, and that 1 should be able to charge a fee for testing eyes. If 1 remember rightly, Mr. J. Pender was then Chairman, and he interviewed me re. this matter. Thirdly, it is quite wellknown by members of the Association that there is a charge for eye-testing; otherwise, why do they pay it so readily? Two instances of payment I can call to mind readily are: (1) Mrs P. Thomson, Kaiata; (2) a boy, Ewan, Dobson. Also, Mr. Norrie came over from Taylorville the same day as Mrs Rowlands with a similar education form, and is quite willing and only too pleased to pay me for eye testing in preference to anyone else. The agreement re. a charge for eye testing, was, I admit, a “gentleman’s agreement,” and there was nothing in writing. I realise, however, that the term “gentleman’s agreement” will mean nothing at all to some people. Fourthly, when I sent Mr. Rowlands an account for testing his eyes some months ago, he refused to pay it, and brought the matter before the Committee. He then said he could get as good treatment and a cheaper treatment at any optician’s in the town. If Mr. Rowlands cares to pay me for eye testing, I am only too pleased to do it. As he has, however, refused to pay me one account, I have every reason to believe he will refuse to pay any other. Finally, I have no intention- whatever of doing eye testing for Association members free of charge, unless I consider that their financial position is such that they cannot afford the small fee I charge. The Committee agreed longago that I could charge, and many Association members have availed themselves of the advantage of having their eyes tested by their local doctor—an advantage not present in many, if any, Associations like this one. Seeing that the agreement has been in force for some years here, why Mr. Rowlands’ so-called complaint? (Signed) A. W. Wilkinson.” Mr Purdy stated that the Executive found the agreement was not satisfactory to everybody, but the question of “firing” Dr. Wilkinson had not been discussed. When the new . Medical Committee had met, a week ago, they unanimously agreed to terminate the agreement. The question of dispensing with Dr Wilkinson’s services had been circulated round the district in the past week. The Chairman: Have you finished? Mr Purdy: No. 1 am just starting. Dr Wilkinson has worked on that agreement since 1930. but if it does not work now, then change the agreement and make it satisfactory to everybody! It was then stated that the question of the Doctor’s salary coming up for revision was not discussed at the

Committee meeting. The Secretary was requested by the mqGling io read the minutes of the previous committee meeting, and the minutes weer then read. I Mr Barber asked why the Association should pay the guinea for the testing of Mr Rowland’s eyes. Mr Purdy stated that the facts had not been clearly explained to the new committee. A point, of order was raised by Mr Me Lagan. Mr Rowlands being present, was asked to explain his case. He stated that if he had known Dr. Wilkinson was going to write a four-page letter to the Association, then he could have done the same. Mr Purdy then asked all executive members present to stand. Disorder prevailed, and cries of “Sit down Purdy” were heard from all parts of the hall. The Chairman: Order! We are discussing why the Association should pay the f ee for testing Mr Rowland’s eyes. Dr Wilkinson being present, was given an enthusiastic hearing, and

clearly outlined his position. He also said he was not an eye-specialist, but had had twelve months’ special training in eye work. (Loud applause). Mr Purdy was then told to make a statement or sit down. Mr L. Smith said that two years ago the question of a. one guinea hill of Mr Rowlands was brought up. Mr Rowlands flatly refused to pay it. A motion that the minutes of the previous committee meeting be rescinded was moved. —(More disorder). Mr R. Virtue stated that the Association was not prepared to make itself responsible for any such accounts—(Disorder). Mr F. Williams accused the Chairman of being most unfair. He said the question of “sacking” Dr. Wilkinson was not discussed at the Committee meeting.

The Chairman stated that the recommendation was to terminate the agreement with the Doctor, but now the Committee stated they meant to amend the agreement. (Applause). The motion then moved by Mr Barber was read by the Secretary, as follows: —“That the minutes regarding paying Dr. Wilkinson one guinea for testing of Mr J. Rowlands’ eyes, be not adhered to.” Voting resulted 145 for, 16 against. A motion that they had absolute confidence in Dr. Wilkinson as the medical officer was then moved, and carried unanimously, amid applause. Mr Purdy said they had never lost confidence in Dr. Wilkinson. Mr Smeaton said the Committee had been pinpricking for some time to get rid of Di- Wilkinson. (Applause). Mr F. Creagh spoke on behalf of the unemployed of the district, stating that Dr Wilkinson had attended them free of charge. Regarding the varbal agreement, which had been acknowledged for five years it was moved that it should be put in writing. Carried unanimously. Mr McLagan said that the recommendation stated definitely that the agreement be terminated. The Committee now said that they meant to amend it, and not terminate it. Why was that not made clear by the Committee? The Doctor had carried out his part of the agreement. He moved that the recommendation be rejected. It was clear, he said, that the Committee were incompetent to carry out their work.

The motion was put that the recommendation of the Committee be rejected, a?UI was carried, two dissenting.

RESIGNATION OF EXECUTIVE. The resignation of the Executive was then received, viz., Messis D. Kennedy, A. Hoggarth, J. Pender, McNeish, W. Perry, W. Purdy, A. Coutts, R. Fordham, T. Morgan, H. Wimanis, F. Williams, W. Richards. After much discussion as to whether the nominations for the Committee be received at the meeting or not, it was the wish of the meeting to do ■so, the voting being 110 for and 25 against. A discussion as to breaking rules and regulations then took place. Mr Devlin stated that rules and regulations had been brushed aside at times, as, for instance, when at the half-yearly meeting two trustees were put out. (Disorder). Nominations were then received as follows: — Treasurer: D. Kennedy (58), elected. L. Smith (48). Two Trustees: R. Virtue,' .1. Smeaton. .Committee (14): —G. Bolam (remaining from old Comifiittee). L. Smith, J. Morris, R. J. Le Cren, C. Morgan, F. Fuchanan, A. Gutberlet, T. Buchanan, A. McLagan, H. Hunt, W. Barber, J. Wilson.