HEALTH OFFICER AND MINISTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1922, Page 4

HEALTH OFFICER AND MINISTER.

DR AicKIEMN PUNISHED

'SEVERELY REPRIMAN DEI) AND

REDUCED IN POSITION

WELLINGTON, March 23

The Public 'Service Commissioner (Mr AY. R. Morris) held an , nqtiiry into charges of breaches of the Public Service regulations preferred against l)r Thomas Mclvibbin, medical officer pi health at Auckland, in respect to an interview in the Auckland newspapers, in which l)r Mclvibbin, it w; s alleged, cast certain reflections on the Minister of Public Health (the tlon C. J. l’arr). The Public Service Commissioner, in whom 'disciplinary power is vested, held that the charges were proved, and has decided: — (1) That Dr Molvibbon. is to he severely reprimanded and censured. (2) That ho is to be reduced, from the position of medical officer of health at Auckland to medical nffic<t o£ health at Dunedin. (3) That his salary is to he reduced. (4) That he is to defray all expenses in connection with his transfer from Auckland to Dunedin, and no allowances are to he paid. (5) That in addition. Dr McKibLin is to forfeit his salary during the period of his suspension pending the enquiry.

A Press messago from Auckland, dated February 28th, contained n.n interview with Dr Mclvibbin, in which ho replied to the Minister’s statement that lie was investigating a charge of slackness in plague precautions at on,, port in the Dominion. Dr Mclvibbin said that lhis statement referred to Auckland, and lie expressed strong resentment at the innuendo and the “manner in which Mi’ Parr had ridden rough-shod over the administrative' staff in ventilating charges he had not had confirmed from his Department.” Dr Mclvibbin denied the suggestion that there was any slackness in the precautions while the Niagara was in port. He considered that tho Minister might refer such complaints to the medical ollieer concerned before he discredited every officer in the Dominion unnecessarily by utterances in the Press. At present. I)r McKibbin stated, the Department was in a, state of chaos engendered lnforce political action and scarcmongcring.