REPLY RECEIVED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 241, 22 November 1940, Page 5

REPLY RECEIVED

COUNCIL'S REPRESENTATIONS TO ASSOCIATION HOSPITAL FINANCE AND AFTER CARE OF TROOPS At the October meeting of the Whakatane County Council the subject of hospital finance and the after care of soldiers came in for some discussion and it Avas decided to request an indication of the Counties' Association's attitude towards these questions. A reply received by the council states that the policy of the Association on hospital rating is (a) That the whole basis of hospital rating lie reviewed as the result of the Social Security-Legislation, and (b) That until the basis of hospital rating lias been reviewed the GoArerninent be asked to increase its hospital subsidy to £2r£l. These views Avere placed before the Minister of Health on March 16. 1939, by a deputation from the N.Z. Municipal Association and the N.Z. Counties' Association. A reply Avas received stating that it Avas not the intention of the Government to promote legislation for the purpose of altering the existing system of Hospital finance. The Association's policy Avas again forAvarded in November, 1939.

With regard to the hospital treatment of soldiers the executive had made it known last July that the National War Expenses Account should shoulder the expenses of this treatment. This resolution was forwarded to the Government in, August

The Hon. H. T. Armstrong, in reply, stated that an additional amount, over and above the Social Security payment, is being made to the Hospital Boards concerned. Where capital expenditure is involved in providing additional accommodation for the care of soldiers the expense is being undertaken out of the War Expenses Account.