OTAGO MEDICAL SCHOOL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1846, 4 September 1913, Page 5

OTAGO MEDICAL SCHOOL.

fr— — DR HUNTER'S CRITICISM. A COUNTER-ATTACK IN THE HOUSE. Statements about the Otago Medical School, which wero made before the Education Committee of tlm Housb of Representatives on Tuesday by Dr. Hunter, of Dunedin, and reported in The Dominion yesterday, wore challenged in tho House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. G. M. Thomson (chairman of the Education Committeo), who stated that tho report was unfair, in containing no reference to the crossexamination of Dr. Hunter, which followed upon his statement to tho Committee. Dr. Hunter's statomont, reported yesterday, was- an indictment .of the constitution and methods of tho Otago Medical School. In • bringing tho matter up, Mr. Thomson asked leave to draw tho attention of tho House to a statement appearing in that morning's Dominion. ■ It was headed, "Grave Allegations," "Otago Medical School," "Duncdin Doctor's Testimony." Tho first paragraph read:— "Dr. I. W. W. Hunter, of Dunedin, brother of Professor Hunter, of Wellington, gave some startling evidence yesterday before the Education Committee appointod by Parliament to hear witnesses on questions which affect tho future of tho whole University and especially of Victoria Collego, Wellington." "I may point out," said Mr. Thomson, "that the Education Committeo is not sitting to hear witnesses on questions affecting the University, and Victoria College, Wellington, only. The whole question of education is before the Committee, and it is only because certain evidence was not readythat wo proceeded in tho first instance to deal' witji education. The Com- . mittce was asked bv those outside to allow tho press to bo present. That privilege was granted, but tho press had not been present, except on ono day, I presume, ho added, because they did not think tho matter of sufficient interest as compared with others that aro engrossing tho attention, of the Houso and Committee. But the meetings wore open to the press. Yesterday, Dr. Planter, from Dunedin, camo up to givo some evidence, and he and his brother, Professor Hunter, were present. - This report was clearly prepared by one of theso two, or by the two in conjunction, and was handed by them to The Dominion, and has appeared therein. Savsrelsr Cross-examined. ','The trouble about the. whole thing is this,said Mr. Thomson, "that after Dr. Hunter made his statement and gave his evidence ho was somewhat severely cross-examined by Mr- Hainan, Mr. Sidey, and tho Hon l . ,Jas. Allen, and had their cross-examination been in the paper there would have been nothing to say about jt.« I' think, sir. their cross-examination , .pretty -well • knocked the bottom out of what Dr. Hunter said. I liad, personally, no time to cross-examine him—the (hour _ was ! 1 late and we had. to olose the meeting— ' nnd Dr. Hunter has gone back to Dunedin. It is a most improper thing that a one-sided statement of this kind should appear in the cjaily pressr. I have nothing to say about The Dominion. Wife is not a question between the Houso and any newspaper. It is a question between t'lho House and the persons who semt this, statement in. I do not thinik the Education Committee should . hare anything to dx> with party politics-. The statement is an extremely one-sided document. Dr. Hunter Attacked. "Dr. Hunter," Mr. Thomson stated, "is a man who is not taken bi? any means at his own valuation, and in fact any opinion he migjlit express would be _ hardly considered 111 Dunedin, where we don't talis him seriously. He is a dis> appointed man in some respects, who has attempted, to get iiito some positions, ami because he has been 'thrown out' of them ho brings this vicious charge against the Otago University." Mr. M'Ca.llu,m: "Not fair!" _ Mr. Thomson: "If tho other s'deha'd been stated, this position would not have arisen. I will leavo it at that. It is a most improper thing that one of 1 the university, colleges Should be at- . taoked in this war." Finally, Mr. Thomson said that he felt quite sure that others who had_ attended the committee on tho previous day would have something to say upon the subject. Mr. J. A. Hanan (Inrercargill) toso and said he desired to say something on this matter. * Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) . imiriediately rose to a' point of order, nnd asked what question was beforo the House. The Speaker said the discussion would be by the indulgence of the House. Mr. Isitt; I must certainly object. At this there were ejaculations of "Oh!" amdoriog of "Meanl" from Government benches, for by Mr. Isitt's action the discussion under /the rules of the House immediately ceased.