FIGHTING CONSUMPTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16811, 14 August 1922, Page 9

FIGHTING CONSUMPTION.

control of institutions. MATTER BEFORE HOSPITAL BOARD. Now flint the Cashmere Sanatorium for ex-soldiers has come under the jurisdiction of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, the question as to whether the Director of Tuberculosis Institutions (Dr <>. J. Blaekmore) should take charge lias come up for decision. A month ago th*e hoard had a letter from Dr Blaekmore to tho effect that he could not see his way to accede to the request that he should retain < ontrol of tho military sanatorium, and that lie intended relinquishing it on July 12. The Finance and Public Health Committees, sitting jointly, then reported inter alia: ” (1) That it. wa> desirable to have only one control for the tuberculosis institutions, and (2) that a motion that the board be recommended to grant £250 per annum additional salary to Dr Blaekmore to undertake tho control of the institutions was negatived on the casting vote of the chairman.” 'these two clauses held up the passage of the whole report, which consequently was referred to a special meeting which was held to-day. Mr if. J. Otley was Appointed to the chair in the absence of Mr H. B. Sorensen. The Hon R. Moore, chairman of the Finance Committee, moved the adoption of the committee’s report. The "Rev J. K. Archer seconded. The chairman moved an amendment that the two clauses above mentioned he held over. It was absolutely necesfarv, lie said, that they should keep Dr Blaekmore in his present position because of his capabilities He called attention to the very admirable way in u hich the institutions had been managed since Dr Blaekmore took charge, lie asked them as representatives of the people whether it was advisable front any viewpoint to lose their medical officer. “ f am positive that if we pass the motion we are going to be in : position that wo will be sorry for,” he said. For a small consideration the board could keep Dr Blaekmore. They were told that they could get all kinds of men from England, hut at present they had a gentleman equal to any they could possibly get. He did not think for one moment that it was the monetarv consideration that weighed with Dr'Blaekmore. The returned men, too. would be greatly disappointed if they wore not going to get the supervision of Dr Blaekmore. The Hon Mr Moore stressed that the board had decided on several occasions that there could be no increase in Dr Blaekmore’s salary, and therefore the matter could not be brought up now. The chairman reoliod that ho only wanted the clauses held over to he separately discussed. By the adoption of the whole of the report they would only he burning their boats liebind then). It was agreed that the report with the exception of the two contentious clauses he adopted. The Hon Mr Moore said that the board had had experience of dual control in the past, and not with the host success of the institutions concerned. He hoped that the hoard would not stultify itself at this stage by going back on a principle that it had repeatedly affirmed. He moved that the cinusp recommending one control be

adopted. Mi- "IV. P. Spencer seconded. Mr W. D. Leadlev could not see that it was any good having two separate controls. The time was coming when there would be no military patients—when the sanatorium would become a civilian institution. What would be the position then? Dr P. C. Fenwick agreed with Mr view. Mr F. Tlorrell said that the board always treated Dr Blaekmore in a pro per manner, and if he now would not take on the extra responsibility the board had its own course to take. The Rev J. K. A roller said that feeling had been engendered in the matter and consequently ho thought that the board would have difficulty in coming to a right conclusion. He believed that Dr Aitken was quite capable of controlling the upper sanatorium. He felt that the board would not he far wrong in letting the position remain a- it was for the next two years. Mr S. Andrew recognised that in Dr Blaekmore they had a man whom they could not replace at tbo present time and if behind the motion lay an intention to get rid of him then the speaker was against tho motion. There had been some difference, of opinion regarding the granting of an increase «n Dr Blackmoro’s salary, but though the board knew the time for Much an action was not a good one. yet it must take into account the fact that an additional expenditure at present might lie well balanced by future results. Tho country was to be congratulated on having

a man like Dr Blaekmore, and he would say that if his recommendations were adopted in tho Dominion they would have a great offset in reducing the amount of consumption. He hoped the board would not hold a pistol at the head of Dr Blaekmore. The chairman felt sure that it would pay the board handsomely to have one control, but he was not prepared to sacrifice the interests of the patients by enforcing it. The board, he asserted, had in the past not considered the position as coolly as it ought to have done. Mr J. Storrv said that the adoption of the clause would not have the effect of getting rid of Dr Blaekmore. He held that the hoard should confirm itprevious resolution on the subject. Mr H. JT. Holland moved a resolu tipn to tho effect that Dr Aitken re main in charge of the military sana fcorium as long as there arc sufficient patients to till it. The chairman would not allow Mi Holland to move this, he holding thal it was a direct egative of the motion. Replying to the discussion on his motion tlje Hon Mr Moore said that the board had always treated Dr Blackmon well. It was not a matter of the hoarc holding the pistol to Dr Blackmoreb bead, but. on tho contrary, ho asked whether I>r Blaekmore was not doin' that to the hoard in the attitude he was taking up at tho present time. Ii the board parsed the resolution il meant that tho hoard would have control of the situation—not that the board was getting rid of Dr Blackmore. 1 1f ho was approached in a nice and kindly way— Air Spencer: "Would you take it on ? The Hon Mr Moore: T am not wifcl those who think he is tho only pebble on the beach. Tho hoard must hart control of the situation and if ho defies us we cannot submit. On a vote being taken the clause recommending only one control of tin tuberculosis institutions was carried b\ eleven votes to four. It was then moved by Dr Fenwicl* and seconded b\ y Mrs Page, that a com mitfcee from tho board consisting ol chairmen of the various committee? hold a conference with Dr Blackmovt and discuss with lum the intention ol the board’s motion. The meeting became rather unruly al this stage, Mr Spencer endeavouring tr place sonic suggestions before the on tic ting., it being, blocked by the Hot

Mr Moore, who thought that the board was considering the second clause of the committee’s report. There was a cross fire of unchecked opinions in which someone advised the meeting. “ Don’t wander!” Air Spencei at last put forward hi j amendment to the effect that the control of tho tuberculosis institutions be offered to Dr Blaekmore at his present salary. This was seconded. After further discussion the amendment was withdrawn and Dr Fenwick’s motion to meet Dr Blaekmore and discuss the subject with him was earned.