DOCTORS RESENTFUL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 31 March 1923, Page 2

DOCTORS RESENTFUL

CORONER'S COMMENT DISAPPROVED -Resentment is felt (says the .Melbourne Argus) by the medical profession at comments made recently by Coroners conducting inquests. Acting on behalf of the British Medical Association, Dr Argyle, M.L.A,, has waited upon the Attorney-General (Sir Arthur Robinson) and directed his attention to the fact that certain Coroners and De-puty-Coroners bad, on various occasions, east reflections upon both public institutions and medical practitioners, • such aspersions having been based on ex parte evidence to which the institutions and medical practitioners bad bad no opportunity of replying. Dr Argyle spoke of the serious harm which this practice had done and was doing to the institutions and practitioners concerned. Sir Arthur Robinson, in reply, said that he agreed that the practice of malcig comments reflecting upon individuals and institutions was undesirable. In his opinion it was no part of the duty of a Coroer or Deputy-Coroner to indulge in general comments. His duty was to enquire into a definite matter and to deal with that alone. Nevertheless, there seemed to be a tendency in other parts of the world also for such officers to express their views on subjects not strictly relevant to the issues before them. The dignity and independence of those exercising tho functions of magistrates or coroners were best, upheld 'by avoiding general statements, and a constant recognition of the fact that ex parte statements were a very dangerous basis on which to form conclusive opinions.