Despite the fact that the great war overshadows the land and preoccupies the mind, the Annual Meeting of the Association in Christchurch was very successful, and it is well that, as far as possible, everyday affairs should run their usual course. Some obvious reflections on these meetings may not be out of place. Their value can best be appraised if we consider what would be the state of medical men in New Zealand if no Medical Association existed. In the first place, under such conditions, we should never meet each other except as competitors, or occasionally in consultation. The voice of the profession on public questions would never be heard. The discussion of medical subjects would be almost unknown, and opportunities for making in our own calling would be only locally possible. The social side of these meetings, is only secondary to their scientific value. As a rule, twenty or more medical men live together for a week under the same roof, and it is not only medical matters that are discussed. The doctor who has no interest in life beyond his own practice is a creature to be pitied, or even to be despised. Medical greatest study of mankind is man. The various kinks of character are well revealed in one of ourselves, for an optimism engendered by the sight of much nobility in the sick and sad, to whom we minister, is dashed with a cynicism born of ingratitude, and forgetfulness. In other words, we feel inclined sometimes to hate our fellows, and sometimes to love them. A medical man is trained to voice his opinions independently, and gives his judgment on most matters without hesitation, whereas the view of men of other callings is inclined to be that common to their class. This is well exemplified in any discussion at a medical meeting, for there are usually as many opinions as there are speakers. We hold the view of Irishmen that you cannot in the fullest sense respect a man until you have either fought with him or had some sort of a serious difference. The medical meetings provide for this necessity. With regard to the more serious work of the meetings, that is, the reading and discussion of papers on medical subjects, there is yet not a great deal of originality, and we are bound largely by the authority of the leaders of the profession in older and more populous countries, but only lapse of time can cure this defect. Our work, too, is not split up into various sections, and this has, at least, one great advantage, for a well-equipped general practitioner can take a broad, and we believe, a sane view of most of the problems that confront us in our fight against disease. We urge upon every member of the Association the practice of attending as many as possible of the annual gatherings, for the good or the profession as a whole and for his own marked benefit. They are both a recreation and an education. NZMJ February 1915; 34-35

Despite the fact that the great war overshadows the land and preoccupies the mind, the Annual Meeting of the Association in Christchurch was very successful, and it is well that, as far as possible, everyday affairs should run their usual course. Some obvious reflections on these meetings may not be out of place. Their value can best be appraised if we consider what would be the state of medical men in New Zealand if no Medical Association existed. In the first place, under such conditions, we should never meet each other except as competitors, or occasionally in consultation. The voice of the profession on public questions would never be heard. The discussion of medical subjects would be almost unknown, and opportunities for making in our own calling would be only locally possible. The social side of these meetings, is only secondary to their scientific value. As a rule, twenty or more medical men live together for a week under the same roof, and it is not only medical matters that are discussed. The doctor who has no interest in life beyond his own practice is a creature to be pitied, or even to be despised. Medical greatest study of mankind is man. The various kinks of character are well revealed in one of ourselves, for an optimism engendered by the sight of much nobility in the sick and sad, to whom we minister, is dashed with a cynicism born of ingratitude, and forgetfulness. In other words, we feel inclined sometimes to hate our fellows, and sometimes to love them. A medical man is trained to voice his opinions independently, and gives his judgment on most matters without hesitation, whereas the view of men of other callings is inclined to be that common to their class. This is well exemplified in any discussion at a medical meeting, for there are usually as many opinions as there are speakers. We hold the view of Irishmen that you cannot in the fullest sense respect a man until you have either fought with him or had some sort of a serious difference. The medical meetings provide for this necessity. With regard to the more serious work of the meetings, that is, the reading and discussion of papers on medical subjects, there is yet not a great deal of originality, and we are bound largely by the authority of the leaders of the profession in older and more populous countries, but only lapse of time can cure this defect. Our work, too, is not split up into various sections, and this has, at least, one great advantage, for a well-equipped general practitioner can take a broad, and we believe, a sane view of most of the problems that confront us in our fight against disease. We urge upon every member of the Association the practice of attending as many as possible of the annual gatherings, for the good or the profession as a whole and for his own marked benefit. They are both a recreation and an education. NZMJ February 1915; 34-35