MENTAL DISORDERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 166, 19 July 1946, Page 4

MENTAL DISORDERS

PSYCHIATRIST FOR STAFF Ob WANGANUI HOSPITAL A decision to appoint a psychiatrist 1o its medical staff was reached by the Wanganui Hospital Board at the monthly meeting yesterday after a previous resolution had beet rescinded, the salary ybeing fixed at £l2OO a year, rising to £l4OO.

The previous resolution, rescinded on the motion of Mr. T. C. Kincaid (Taihape), seconded by the Hon. W. J. Rogers, M.L.C., was to the effect that the appointment be deferred till after the Government had considered the report of the Select Parliamentary Committee which investigated local body affairs.

There was a division of opinion on this question, some members holding that the cure of diseases of the mind was a national work which should he undertaken by the Government, pai* ticuJarly as hospital costs were steadily mounting. J Mr. D. G. qordon (Taihape) said that the full cTSt of this appointment should be met by the Government. By seven votes to five, the board agreed to advertise the position at a salary of £l2OO a year, rising to £l4OO. For the motion were the chairman, Mr. D. D. Simpson, Mrs. A. K. MacLean. the Hon. W. J. Rogers, M.L.C., and Messrs Kincaid. R. G. Taiboys, J. C. Batt and L. W. Nation. Against it w e e Messrs Gordon, N. Hughes, J. H. Wells, A. P. Gordon and A. S. Coleman.