HOSPITAL DOCTORS.

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1926, Page 5

HOSPITAL DOCTORS.

+ - WHO SHOULD SELECT? Sir L. Ferguson. 11VFFLF.8 CO.NFEBI'NCK. (Per Press Association.) DVXFDIN'. Feb. 21. At th- Hospital Boni'ls' t'onferen-to-day, considerable disi-ussion waetiused by Sir Lindo Ferguson duiin; the course of an address on hospita rtaffing, stating that no body ot men in the world are more incompetent t« judge the rnpnbilit e< ef a medico practitioner than the layman who sat mi Hospital Hoards. He said lie con s'dered that medical men "ere the only ones capable of doing so. Most of tin mei i al profession did not want honorariums, but would willingly tendei their services to such as could not afford to pay for them. Those who could pay hospital maintenance should be made to do so. He did not wish to see the profession exploited. Mr W. Wallace (Auckland) President of the Conference, deeply resented th' remarks which he characterised as a grave indictment against the Hospital Boards and the Briti-h Medical Association. Mr Hornblow (Palmerston North) said the Palmerston North Board d.d not appoint the doctors to the staff. The appointments were made through a Board of Medical Practitioners. Sir Lindo Ferguson said he was glad to hear that Palmerston North was so enlightened, lb 1 did not know it before but thought no other board in New Zealand did so. This was contradicted from several quarters. Mr V. H. Petter (Auckland) said: — “I think, sir. you should have found that out before coming here, and 1 for one strongly resent your criticisv-. ”