AUCKLAND ST. HELEN'S HOSPITAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12878, 27 March 1913, Page 5

AUCKLAND ST. HELEN'S HOSPITAL.

CONTINUATION OF INQUIRY.

A MINISTERIAL OBJECTION

THE.OOMMISSIONEB SUBPMSEDu

. - (Por Press Association,)'.',. • ; "'■■ AUCKLAND,;March 26^ ' Iho parties concerned in th& St^ Helen's Home inquiry were called together this morning by. the Commissioner (Mr. C. C. Kettle, S.M.). Mrs. Nicol appeared in support of certain:, chai-ges which occasioned the inquiry,. while Mr. A. E. Skelton appeared forthe Timber "Workers Union and Mr Mays for the Department.' His Woi--' ship referred to the receipt of a letter from the secretary of the Union* ' and the Friendly Societies' organisationsstating that some of the older members of the committee were prepared* to. give^evidence in reference ito thef- ■ question\;pf the ostracism of 'their-i medical officers. His Worship said hehad noticed that a copy of the letter- • had .been published. He would like to» know by whose authority. M,ts. Nicol: I handed*a copy of.thafe r^ r £° t*6 press,'-".'your-- Worßhip..:' ' / LhQ Commissioner ruled with reference to the letter that his Commissiondid not permit' him to inquire into* ditterences between the British iMedioal Association and 'Friendly Societies*' ; doctoi-s. ' ■'■■■':

Mrs. NiopJ':' I canot think that in- ' the face of ,the interests of the community and -the interests of justice you: will override an application to havethese witnesses called. The speaker concluded somewhat dramatically :-. as fol-' lows: 'This Dominion is crying out forits cradles to be iilled. but not being: content- with merely allowing th-es© to» remain empty it is allowing the verymothers to be taken too." ■■■'■ -: - _ The pommissioner: This letter front-V the Friendly Societies deals with a. - . long^randing dispute. : My. commission- 0 does not t directly or indirectly^utho*—> -- . "ojb»«; to deal with that dispute, ancE rh 1 finally rule that these witnesses are- • ' ■ not- necessary. Eeverting :-to« the Kul-ii f^ mg given by Mr. Jiiste; Cooper concermng the inspection of docu-ments, the Commissioner said that His Honoiuruled that any communication;made'by!--r' - patients ••. to. .'the" medical officer either^^ ' directly or through, the\ Matron' 6r-;;': nurses were private.; If.-howepsf, th^' v entries m respect of which applicationr iiad been made for right of inspection- • were not communications by patjents tomedicai officers, discretionary ' poweirested with the Commissioner. Heasked if Mr: Skelton desired to makeany application in connection with theSuoreme Court's ruling. Mr. Skelton formally renewed his ap- : plication for leave to inspect all books; and charts of St. Helen's Home. " .■'■: Mr. Mays asked His Worship to exercise his discretionary power and re— fuso^on the grounds of public i>olicv-x-4.aliOw> Pnvat© documents of th»e institution to be looked at by outsiders . Jho Commissioner said he would admit the records, but would prohibit the'reading of any entries of commu— nicataons made by patients to theirmeflical officer.

Mr. Mays said h© had authority foretatmg- that the productdon of thosedocuments would be prohibited by theMinister on grounds of public policy.He would put in the box the head of the department in Auckland, to statethat it would be contrary to the interests of policy to allow them to be inspected by ail outsider. The Commissioner (in tones «.f surprise): Do you suggest that I am'tonToUn.d by the Minister's decisioa? Mi- Mays: If the Minister takes'tha^ objection I have indicated, it is f.nul. Ihe Commissioner: This i s t], e f lVs t K time you have told me chat you holdt in your hand that authority of th©-

Mr Skelton: I shall not be' satisfisd; with having an under officer placed? m the box to say that the inepectioa of documents would s he harmful to public policy. The Minister should statwthat himself if the objection is to holdP

The Commissioner (to Mr. Mays) • If • you had in your pocket that authority giving a final answer to the applicaSu P reme aCoTrt? the °* &^ to l^

Mr. Mays said hfi mentioned that aspect of the question to Mr. JusticeCooper, but the latter decided that'it- '' was .beyond his scope to deal with it. lJie Commissioner: I ask you. ,MrMays if you positively hold an instruction from the Minister stating that. h& objects to the-inspection. ' , ■ Mr. Mays replied in the affirmative . tof/f • f Ministerial telegram which.* stated, inter aha, "I anrdistinct.lv of opinion that it would be detrimental to. the public interests to allow documentscontaining the family history of pat-i-Section 6" 1113^ <Waila' ble for ge"erar

Mrs. Nichol quei^etJ^ whether t*^ telegram, hadl corno from the tfrkter or from Dr. Valintine Mr. Mays miggested that the matter should be held over pending an in-sneet-ion of the. hospital Wb*W&Matron and himself, which could" be> made while Mrs. Nichol was giW heTintended address to the CoSrt g Liiis course, was agreed to, ths Commissioner urging the parties' to expedite the- proceedings, as his report had SS ntcdbyt!leclldft(the p-

The inquiry was subsequently Adjourn--ed till to-morrow. \