Board Members Criticise Health Authorities Over Sanatorium Appointment.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18576, 26 September 1928, Page 10

Board Members Criticise Health Authorities Over Sanatorium Appointment.

“ LOCAL BODIES ARE UNDER IRON HEEL OF WELLINGTON DEPARTMENTS,” SAYS MEMBER. IN' SPITE of a recommendation from the Minister of Health (the Hon J. A. Young) that the position of Medical Superintendent of Tuberculosis institutions under the North Canterbury Hospital Board should be advertised so that applicants could apply, the board to-day resolved to adhere to its decision to appoint Dr M’lntyre to the position, subject to the approval of the Minister. “ New Zealand is for New Zealanders,” declared a member of the hoard. “ I am in favour of a New Zealander being appointed, especially as he is regarded as one of the best in the Southern Hemisphere. Practically every body I serve on is under the iron heel of Departments in Wellington.”

Correspondence on the matter was presented to the board as follows: — From the secretary of the board to the Director-General of Health (Dr X. H. A. Valintine), under date August 24: Dear Sir, — With reference to the vacancy which will occur at the tuberculosis institutions through the retirement of Dr G. J. Blackmore, I have to inform you that, subject to the approval of the Minister, the board has appointed Dr I. M'lntyre as Medical Director of Tuberculosis Institutions. It is the intention of the board to place all the institutions under one head. Reply by the Director-General of Health, dated August 31:— Dear Sir, — I would point out that the procedure laid down In Section 38 of the Act has not been followed. This section provides that, before notifying the Minister of its intention to make any appointment, a "board shall forward to him the list of applicants, and the Minister shall, as soon as conveniently may be, submit to the board for its guidance such reports and recommendations as he thinks tit, and the board shall give due and fair consideration to such recommendations before making any appointment. I shall be glad, therefore, if you will submit a list ol’ the applicants, and, as you have already notified me of the applicant you propose to appoint, that before considering the Minister’s comments upon the applications, you will let me know the reasons for the selection of the applicant in question. I shall be glad, also, if you will give full particulars of tho proposed appointment. I presume the somewhat peculiar condition of having three separate institutions at Cashmere will not be continued, and that there will be only two institutions, the sanatorium and tU chronic hospital. 1 shall be glad to know the proposals for the general medical staffing of these institutions. Letter from secretary of the board to the Director-General of Health, under date September 7:— Dear Sir, — With reference to the directorship of the tuberculosis Institutions. I have to inform you that this matter was considered by a committee of the board, and It was determined not to advertise the position, but that promotion should be made from the board’s staff, so that there is no list of applicants that I can submit. I can only mention that Dr W. Aitken was tho only person to put in an application, although it was unsolicited. It was resolved at the meeting of the committee to recommend the board that, subject to the approval of the Minister, the position should be given to Dr M’lntyre. This was confirmed at the board meeting held on August 22. So far as the staffing of the institu-

tions is concerned, the alteration proposed Is that all the four institutions shall be under one medical control, and it has also been suggested that there shall be one matron. Of course, on the retirement of J>r Blackmore, another medical officer will have to be appointed. Reply by the Director-General, under date September 14:— Dear Sir, — By direction of the Minister, C have to inform you that, in his opinion, bo important a position as the Director of Tuberculosis for the four institutions should have been advertised. The Minister would be glad if you would adopt this course. “Pin-pricking From Wellington.” Mr W. J. Walter said that it appeared that the hospitals of New Zealand would shortly be run by two men. Every time anything was done it was followed by pin-pricking from Wellington. The heads in Wellington were always finding fault with local bodies. Dr M’lntyre was one of the best men in the southern hemisphere for dealing with tuberculosis, and even if applications had been called the board would have appointed Dr M’lntyre from them. “Perhaps the Minister has received a reply from the Director-General of Health,” continued Mr Walter. “Some influence has been brought to bear; and 1 take strong exception to Wellington trying to boss the local bodies of New Zealand.” The Rev J. K. Archer stated that if a technical error were committed by the board, it would be best to rectify it. The speaker believed that Dr Valintine had overstepped the - functions of the position he occupied. The chairman (Mr H. J. Otley) ; The Department have asked us for applications. We haven’t called them. “We have made a technical error, but Dr Valintine has made a bigger one,” declared Mr A. T. Smith. “lie wants to dictate to us.” Mr W. P. Spencer: I want New Zealand for New Zealanders. Practically every body on which I serve is under the iron heel of a Department in Wellington. The chairman: I believe that we are getting a “fair deal” from the Health Department, and I have always thought that; but I am apparently the only member of the board who does think so. The motion confirming the board * previous decision was carried.