HOSPITAL POLICY

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 45, 23 February 1938, Page 2

HOSPITAL POLICY

Division on Board "‘NAPIER’S BIRTHRIGHT" From Our Own Correspondent. NAPIER, Feb. 22. Hastings influence in the shaping of hospital policy in Hawke’s Bay was denounced by Mr. C. O. Morse, Mayor of Napier, when he addressed a meeting last evening in the Napier Community Hall. He accused Hastings people with conspiring to deprive Napier of its “birthright,” meaning the base hospital and suggested that Hastings members of the hospital board used unfair methods in suppressing Napier voices on the board and that discourtesy and lack of consideration was shown to Napier members In connection with committee proceedings.

The meeting was under the auspices of the Napier branch of the Labour Party, who had invited Mr. Morse to answer some questions, and Mr. D. Mcßae presided. Mr. Morse was sub jected to a regular barrage of questions after he completed his address but, on the whole, he conducted himself very well under fire, and earned a hearty round of applause at the conclusion of the meeting.

The chairman set nie Gres of Mr. Morse’s oratory alight when he mentioned, in opening the meeting, that it seemed, with the majority Hastings had on the Board, a definite effort was being made to transfer the base hospital over there.

Remarking that the chairman had given him something to talk about, Mr. Morse, after stating his appreciation of the backing given by the Labour Party to Napier members in hospital affairs, wasted no time in indicating that he considered that a plot had been prepared in Hastings to rob Napier of its rieht.c DR. BERRY PRAISED OBJECTION TO DR. WILSON NAPIER, Feb. 22. “It is definitely rumoured that it is intended to dispose of the services of Dr. Allan Berry as an honorary surgeon of the hospital,” said Mr D. Mcßae who presided at a Labour Parly meeting in Napier last night when Mr C. O. Morse gave an address and answered questions on hospital matters. “I know what action I personally and the Labour Party will take. I think 100 per cent, of the public of Napier realise the worth of Dr. Berry to them and to the board as a surgeon, and, more particularly, his worth to the poor. No doctors here do as much for the poor as do Drs. J. Allan and Harold Berry. Does Mr Morse think an attempt will be made to get rid of him?” Mr Morse replied that he had hoped the whole question had settled down. Possibly it had, in view of the approach of the election. Ke would say that a more kindly or sympathetic man than Doctor Berry could not be found anywhere. Mr Mcßae: “It was one of the commission’s suggestions that it was not proper for an ‘honorary’ to be a member of the board. Dr. Berry, like a gentleman, got out. Not so Dr. Wilson, of Hastings. I think the board should compel him to resign as one thing or the other.” Mr Moise: “The question has not been dealt with.” Mr Mcßae (closing his hand): “It won’t be. He’s got them like that.” Mr Morse. “You forgot to say ‘for the meantime.’ I take up the attitude that it’s entirely wrong. We might as well have the town clerk for a borough councillor. However, the decision was with the doctors.”