“WALLACE POLICY” ATTACKED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 669, 22 May 1929, Page 7

“WALLACE POLICY” ATTACKED

Hospital Board Skirmish DR. GUNSON’S LONE ASSAULT FIREWORKS flew at the first meeting of the newly-elected Auckland Hospital Board yesterday, when Dr. E. B. Gunson accused the members of committees of carrying on what he termed “a Wallace policy” under the domination of . the chairman of the board, Mr. W. Wallace. Hot words ensued and an amendment moved by Dr. Gunson that a special committee be set up to outline a comprehensive policy, was lost with only one vote in its favour.

r chairman read out the names of those appointed to the various committees and asked the usual confirmation of the meeting. Dr. Gunson asked if he might move an amendment before the business j went further, j The chairman: Yes. COMPREHENSIVE POLICY I “When I agreed to accept nomination for election to this board, at the instigation of my medical colleagues, 1 made it plain to them that if elected I would hold myself entirely free to exercise my own judgment on all matters which would come up for consideration,” said Dr. Gunson, “and that my only interest was to see that the affairs of this hospital were efficiently administered in the interests of our patients. “I need not say that they entirely agreed with this point of view. I am here, as you all are, to serve the public to the best of my ability. “Regarding the appointment of these committees, in as much as they are directed to carrying out the Wallace policy of the board —a policy in which personally I have no confidence—l wish to state that I will not serve on any of these committees, so long as the present policy of the board is in operation. “I have a definite proposal to make to the board in this connection, namely, that until such time as the board can draw up and adopt a comprehensive policy, the personnel of these committees to remain as at present “In order to achieve a comprehensive policy, wffiich shall be directed to the efficient administration of this hospital, and complete control of the hospital by the board, in the interests of the patients, I beg to move as follows: “That a special committee of the board be set up for the purpose of| drawing up a comprehensive policy, , such committee to consist of not less than three nor more than five members, and that Dr. Gunson, as the only , medical member of the board, be appointed chairman of the committee. Further, that this committee shall submit its report to the board within two months, and that when the committee’s report has been adopted by the board the committee shall cease to function, and new committees shall be then appointed to carry out the board’s policy.” “Such a committee is an imperative necessity, and I ask you, on behalf of 12,000 and more electors, to support this motion,” concluded Dr. Gunson.

Mr. Wallace: You have absolutely no right to refer to the “Wallace policy.” You must withdraw those words.

Dr. Gunson: Well, I will withdraw them at your correction, sir. But in the opinion of the outside public the chairman has for too long dominated the policy of the Hospital Board. Mr. Wallace: I deny there was any domination on my part. CONFIDENCE OF ELECTORS Mr. S. J. Harbutt seconded the amendment, pro forma. “The doctor evidently thinks there is some need for such an amendment,”

lie said. “Personally, I think there is no need, but if the doctor thinks so, there is no reason why he should not have his way. When he gets behind the scenes he will find there is not so much as lie thought. Mr. M. Savage said he could only express amazement at the amendment moved. “One must admire Dr. Gunson,” be said.” Evidently the impression outside is that laymen are blundering along on the board without medical advice. That is incorrect. We have always had expert medical advice. “I resent the suggestion that this board has been following a ‘Wallace p'olicy’ or a ‘Savage policy,’ or the policy of any one man on the board. Dr. Gunson quotes the 12,000-odd electors, but seems to forget the 14,000 votes accorded Mr. Wallace. Tf it were true we w'ere following a ‘Wallace policy,* it would seem it had the confidence of the electors, in any case. But I deny the accusation. I resent the amendment, and the foundation on which it is based. Mr. J. Rowe: If Dr. Gunson has something behind his amendment he should bring it out now. What has he at. the back of it? Mr. W. K. Howitt: I am indignant that a new member should put forward such an amendment at his first meeting. Why did Dr. Gunson leave he Hospital Board five years ago? Why didn’t be stay on the honorary staff and find out some of the wrongs then? Dr. Gunson and I have quarrelled before on various questions. I consider this a slur on our manhood. The chairman then put Dr. Gunson’s amendment to the meeting, the only vote in its favour being cast by the mover himself. The amendment was rejected. The committees were then moved j and confirmed, and the board passed on to other business. NEW COMMITTEES HOSPITAL BOARD APPOINTMENTS At the first meeting of the newlyelected Auckland Hospital Board yesterday, the chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, presided. The following committees were appointed on the recommendation of the chairman: Finance and Legal.—Messrs. W. Wallace (chairman), S. J. Harbutt, E. U. Potter. J. Dempsey, Dr. E. B. Gunson. Buildings.-—Messrs. Potter (chairman), Dempsey, J. Rowe, Harbutt, Wallace, Dr. Gunson. Relief.—Messrs. W. K. Howitt (chairman), J. O. Chalmers, M. J. Savage, W. C. Wood, Mrs. A. Kidd. Infirmary.—Messrs. Rowe (chairman), Chalmers, Howitt, Wood, Mrs. Kidd. Fees. —Messrs. Wallace (chairman), Savage, Rowe. Laing. The Purchasing Committee consists of the chairmen of other committees. Dr. T. W. J. Johnson and Dr. ,T. Hardie Neil were appointed honorary consulting physician and honorary consulting ear, nose and throat surgeon, respectively, to the Auckland Infirmary.