The Hawera Star THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1926. HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 22 April 1926, Page 4

The Hawera Star

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1926. HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION.

Delivered every evening by 5 o'clock in Hawern Mantua, Normanby, Okaiawa. Eltham, Man gatoki, Kaponga, Alton, Hurleyville, Patna Waverier, Mokoia, YVhakamara, Ohangai, Mere, mere. Fraser Road and Ararata.

In eighteen months, New Zealand has had her railway system investigated by two Englishmen, her University overhauled' by a Victorian and a Welshman, and her hospital system examined by a. Canadian. If only we could get a Dutchman to look into our but-ter-fat, and a South African to report upon the state of our Rugby, we should be set up for at least another year. It does make a somewhat alarming array when the reports of the various oversea, experts, who have been called to the aid of the Dominion, are piled upon the table. But both the Railway Department and the University have shown themselves willing to profit by the advice offered them, and it is reasonable to suppose that Dr MacEacliern’s recommendations in regard to the administration of hospitals will be given equally careful consideration. While it is impossible for a stranger — no matter how expert —who rushes through the country in a month or six weeks, fully seized of all the facts of the position, it must be conceded that the spectator sees most of the game, and defects in our hospital system will naturally be more apparent to Dr MacEaeliern than to New Zealanders, whether of the medical profession or not, who have had no lengthy experience of other systems, or who have not troubled to make a study of hospital administration. Men who work at the desk sometimes find their longer vision failing; and, in like manner, it is possible to become so intent on one’s own little way of doing tilings that the better and more advanced methods in practice elsewhere are blotted out from one’s horizon. It does not follow that New Zealand will adopt all that Dr MacEachern has recommended; but the mere fact that lie has suggested certain changes in the present system, and that these are now being discussed by those most concerned, spells progress. The proposal that the .hospitals should provide various grades of accommodation and charges hag' already given rise to some hostile comment in Canterbury, and appears to overshadow in the public mind the other recommendations made by the Canadian visitor; but some of these have an equally direct bearing on the public, and are entitled to parallel consideration. Geographically, New Zealand must remain in isolation from the world; but physical isolation need not moan actual isolation if. the people be willing to learn from the visits of men so outstanding in their particular line as is Dr MacEaeliern.