AUCKLAND HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 12661, 15 September 1904, Page 5

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL.

A QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT. STATEMENT BY MR. HALL-JONES, [BT TKIEORAWI.—SPECIAL CQRRTSI'OKDENT.] Wellington*, Wodrvjsday. Mb- Bat/me asked the Government in. the House of Representatives to-day-(1) whether it is true that the number of operations in the Auckland Hospital in 1902 was more than double the number in 1901; (2) whether the mortality following abdominal operations in the Auckland Hospital during the last six mouths has been exceptionally high; and (3) whether, if the answer to the foregoing questions be i„ the affirmative, they will cause an investigation to be made into the causes thereof. Mr. Hall-Jones, Minister in charge of hospitals, replied as follows: —From figures supplied by the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, a comparison of the operations performed in the Auckland Hospital gives a negative answer to the question. The figures for the last six months, compared with the corresponding six mouths of last year, show that there was an increase in the number of abdominal operations, and a greater increase, in the percentage of mortality resulting therefrom; but tins is stated to be on account of the more serious nature of the operations performed. Mr. Fowlcis and Mr. Baume had questions regarding an inquiry into the general conduct of the hospital, to which the Minister replied that he was still waiting for Dr. MacGregor's report, and in the event of it being necessary to appoint* a commission, the suggestion to appoint the commissioners from the South Island would receive consideration.

PROPOSED ROYAL COMMISSION.

SUPPORTED BY THE LIBERAL AND LABOUR FEDERATION. At last .night's meeting of the Auckland branch of the Literal and Labour Federation, Mr. T. Hurle Giles introduced the subtest of the management of the hospllal. He moved the following resolution :—" That m T ie W of the fact that all parties concerned in the issues involved in relation to the man.wanent of the Auckland District Hospital are desirous of a thorough investigation taking Place, this federation urges upon the Government the propriety of appointing a Boval Commission forthwith, and that copies ( ,l the forgoing resolution be forwarded to the Right Hon. the Premier and the Hon. Hall-Jones, Minister for Hospitals." In moving this Mr. Giles said that the public mind would be in a state of unrest until an investigation had taken place. Mr H. A. Kitchens seconded. He considered the Royal Commission was badly wanted. He was in a position to know something about it, and he thought this would be the biggest thing the Federation had ever assisted to bring before the public. If there was to be a storm, let them have it. The President (Mr. P. J. Nerheny) said there could be no harm to either eide in carrying the resolution. There was no doubt both sides wanted a full inquiry. As a federation, they made no charges, but the public mind was agitated, and the public would not be satisfied until there was an inquiry. It was not for them {the members of tho federation) to judge, nor did they desire to do so. What they desired was justice to our hospital, which we had looked to ae a place of safety in time of sickness. It he were sick to-morrow, no matter how well he could be treated at his own home, there was no place he would sooner go to Cam the, hospital. However, owing to what had been said, it was only bj ft pub'io inquiry that public conddence in the mana jo* mont erf the hospital could be restored. 'Rift resolution was then i-ut and tarried.