SURGEONS AND BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20867, 8 May 1931, Page 13

SURGEONS AND BOARD.

THE WELLINGTON HOSPITAL. " IMPETUOUS YOUNG MEN." A BETTER OF EXPLANATION. ! For the purpose of a 10 per cent, cut the original assessment of the value of the " living-in" accommodation of the house surgeons at the Wellington Hospital is to stand. This was decided by the Hospital Board on Wednesday, when the matter was again discussed. Other questions, involving conditions of work and quality of food, were referred to the incoming board to investigate. When the board had disposed of its estimates the chairman, Mr. F. Castle, moved that the question of assessing the value of the " living-in" accommodation of the house surgeons be referred to the incoming board. " I think certain principles are involved in the matter which should be considered by a larger committee than Mr. Luke and I," he said. The chairman said he appreciated a letter which had been received from the house surgeons. It was as follows: — " The house surgeons regret that the members of the board have taken the view that by inserting an advertisement in the paper the house surgeons were attempting to t ' bludgeon ' them. Such is not the case. The advertisement was inserted because a considerable number of the house staff feel that with the present existing conditions it would be advisable for them to seek positions elsewhere.

" They had no intention of seeking the publicity which subsequent events, and the reported remarks of the members of the board, have given to what is after all a matter of limited interest. " Having, they hope, adequately explained their motive and action, they would again respectfully beg the consideration of the board of the matters referred to in the original letter." Not an Apology. 14 It is very easy for a body of men to make a mistake in dealing with a matter of this kind, but it is much more difficult to admit having made a mistake," said the chairman. "To that extent I think the board appreciates the position. If my suggestion is adopted the whole matter can be dealt with by the new board without prejudice." Mrs. Fr&ser: Why the new board ? The chairman said the question was 100 involved and too lengthy to deal with before the election. ' " I am glad these impetuous young men have sent this letter. It shows they realise the gravity of the mistake they made," said Mr. C. M. Luke. Mrs. Fraser: It is not an apology. Mr. Luke: No, it is not quite that. I have no sympathy with the attitude they took up. ... I think that in this little tussle we come out with flying colours. The menu of the house surgeons is a menu that the average working home in Wellington does not approach. " Little to Complain About." Mr. Luke said the house surgeons had little to complain about. The amount over which the trouble had arisen only meant £5 a year to each of the house surgeons. Some people, said Mr. Luke, seemed to think that the men were paying £IOO a year for their accommodation. Such was not the case. The board provided was assessed at that sum. Mrs. McVicar: I don't like that letter. It is not an apology; it is a bald statement. I would not accept it. Mrs. Fraser: If the nurses did a thing like that they would be told to get out. The chairman ventured the opinion that the board provided for the house surgeons could not be obtained in the city for £2 a weejc. Mr. Luke said he was to stand by the assessment decided upon by Mr. Castle and himself. The chairman intimated that he would do likewise, and a motion assessing the value of the living-in accommodation of the house surgeons at £IOO a year was carried unanimously. , On the recommendation of the chairman the other questions raised by the doctors in their original letter were referred to the incoming board to deal with.