REQUEST IGNORED

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21369, 13 March 1941, Page 8

REQUEST IGNORED

MEN FOR TERRITORIALS REPLACEMENT QUESTION BOARD’S OFFICER CENSURED A brisk verbal exchange occurred at the Waikato Hospital Board meeting today w’hen the attitude of the house manager of the hospital, Mr G. W. Yallop, in refusing to carry out the request of the Hamilton District Manpower Committee to advertise for applications for the positions of porters at the hospital, so as to release men for military service, was strongly censured by the chairman, Mr F. Findlay. In reply to a letter from the secretary of the Manpower Committee, Mr P. J. Gallagher, pointing out that no steps had been taken by the hospital authorities to release the men, Mr Yallop wrote to the board pointing out that he and the medical superintendent, Dr. H. L. Gould, were satisfied that advertising would do no good. He himself had inquired at the Labour Bureau and Placement Office in an effort to secure suitable men, without success. A recommendation was brought forward by the House and Finance Committee that the Hospital Board should express its regret to the Manpower Committee for the failure of the house manager to carry out its request. Strong Dissatisfaction The chairman, Mr F. Findlay, expressed strong dissatisfaction w'ith this recommendation. He said the board was appointed by the people of Waikato to look after the hospital, and he could not approve the attitude of an officer w'ho seemed to think he ; w r as “too big” to take instructions from the Man-power Committee. His position as chairman was no sinecure, and he needed the fullest co-opera-tion of every officer. It seemed that he was not getting it. * The chairman then moved, as an amendment, the following: “That the house manager be informed in writing by the secretary that the, board views with great concern and disfavour his action in not carrying out the instructions issued by the Man-power Committee, a competent authority appointed by the Government, thus failing to properly carry out his duties as a servant of the board, and placing the board in a very indivious position. Further, that the board is far from satisfied with the written explanation from the house manager, which is evasive in his reply to the charges made and does not express any regret for his uncalled-for action in the matter; that the house manager be severely reprimanded lor his action, and that he be informed that any future failure to carry out his duties in a proper manner as a servant of the board would be severely dealt with.” Mr J. Price said he was sorry that the chairman had taken that attittude, and that the remarks seemed uncalled for. Amendment Carried Mr T. G. Reynolds said that Mr Yallop was one of the most efficient purchasing officers with whom he had ever come in contact anywhere. It would be a great loss to the board if it were to lose his services. Further rather heated discussion followed, during which several members had to be called to order. The chairman’s amendment was put to the meeting, and was carried, Messrs D. B. Livingston, G. Smith. T. Hinton. W. Morrice, R. Eyre, Stewart and Mrs H. M. Wilson supporting the chairman, while Messrs J. Banks, J. Price, T. G. Reynolds, H. W. Wilson and N. H. Beatton opposed the amendment. Mr S. C. B. Macky, as chairman of the Man-power Committee, did not vote. At a later stage of the proceedings the chairman referred to the addition of a small building costing £IOO, as well as several other necessary repairs to the Rotorua Hospital, which were authorised by Dr. Gould without the authority of the board. Dr. Gould explained that on February 7 he had inspected th£ Rotorua Hospital and considered the works of urgent importance. The chairman said that though the alterations were necessary, he did not think that the work should have been put in hand without the authority of the board. Dr. Gould’s report concerning his actions was received.