BULLER DISPUTE OVER MEDICAL SERVICE IS NOW SETTLED

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 May 1949, Page 6

BULLER DISPUTE OVER MEDICAL SERVICE IS NOW SETTLED

GREYMOUTH, Last Night (PA).— The dispute in the Buller mining area over the non-availability of a doctor to serve the Ngakawau-Stockton area, which resulted in the Stockton mine ceasing work last Thursday and all mines in the district being idle todav, was satisfactorily settled at an all-day conference, when representatives of the Buller Hospital Board, the miners’ unions and labour organisations met the director of special areas of the Health Department, Dr. Duncan Cook, It was emphasised by the miners’ representatives that tneir organisation would not be satisfied unless they were given a guarantee of continual medical service during the opeiation ot the mifles owing to the hazardous nature of the employment and the ever-present risk of accident. Dr. Cook finally agreed to recommend to the department the appointment of an additional house surgeon at the Buller Hospital, Westport. This, it was thought, would solve all the dilliculties likely to arise as, in the present, position, out of the temporary absence of the medical officer in the mining area. The extra house surgeon at the Buller Hospital could be made available when necessary for’ relieving duties. During the conference, the Minister of Health (Miss Howard) was communicated with by telephone and promised sympathetic consideration of th.e proposal of Dr, Coo!:. In the meantime, Dr. J. G. Garkness. on loan from the Air Force and formerly medical officer at Millerton’, will relieve Dr. J. C. D. Simpson in the Ngakawau area until Dr. Simpson is again fit to, resume his duties or another replacement is secured for the area . As a result of this arrangement, the Buller district mines will resume work on Wednesday.