TUBERCULOSIS INQUIRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20433, 13 June 1928, Page 2

TUBERCULOSIS INQUIRY

PRIVACY OF THE SITTINGS. CHAIRMAN EXPLAINS POSITION. {Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, Juno 12. An explanation of the reason why the inquiry into the treatment of tuberculosis patients is being held in camera was made at this morning’s sitting of the committee ; set up by the Minister of Health. i In the course of a discussion before the ; committee commenced the taking of evideuce, the Chairman (Dr Fitchett) said: ‘ “ We decided at the outset to hold our , meetings fin camera because we felt that the persons interviewed would speak more j freely than if reporters were present. . We did not wish persons to use us as a \ medium of expressing their views to the | public. Nevertheless, if Mr Smith or Dr Blackmore wish reporters to be present while they give their evidence this morn- j ing, we have no objection.” , Mr A. T. Smith (chairman of the Public Health Committee of the North Canterbury Hospital Board) said that the public in Christchurch was very much interested in the question; but if the committee thought it would be better that J the press was not present during the giving of evidence he was prepared to agree to that course if the committee would give an assurance that the report, when completed, would be published. The Chairman; That depends on the Minister. We understand that the report will be published. Mr Smith: If that is available, I think it will be far better if the reporters could hold off a bit. Piecemeal does not enable one to get hold of either one end of the stick or the other. I think it will ! bo sufficient if we can get an assurance from you that you will recommend that | the report should be available. | The Chairman: We will certainly do i that, and we think it will bo so. | Mr H. J. Otley (chairman of the North j Canterbury Hospital Board) agreed that it would be far better to take the evidence in camera and to have the report published. The Chairman said he would hand a statement of the position to the press. Mr Smith: It will satisfy Christchurch people, who are to a man behind this movement. The public pays, and the public likes to know; and u a thing is held in camera it thinks it is a dark horse. The Chairman: Men such as you are the very men we want to meet. We wish to get to the bottom of it to produce a constructive policy. Mr Smith: I am perfectly satisfied after meeting you gentlemen on Sunday that everything is O.K. I know perfectly well that all being O.K. we are going to get a run for our money. The Chairman: We shall do that. The committee then proceeded with the taking of evidence.