DISCUSSION PROVOKED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 70, Issue 81, 13 June 1944, Page 5

DISCUSSION PROVOKED

FOOD TROLLIES FOR HOSPITAL HOME GUARD DONATION The donation of two steelframed heated food 1 trollies for use in the Whakatane Hospital evoked' a sincere vote of thanks from the Hospital Board last week. The donors, the executive of the Mounted Section of the Whakatane Home Guard, had •'found! the cost for trollies which totalled no less than £227. The devices which had proved an outstanding success andl were already in operation at the hospital madfe it possible for hot meals !to be carried long distances to patients in all parts of the buildings. Moving a hearty vote of thanks Mr Buddie said that lie would like to convey the thanks of the board, the staff and the patients. "I only hope that in future, when any more are required we .Avon't wait until they're donated," observed Mr McCready. Mr Buddie: I'm glad you mentioned that. If there is any scope for others I think we should acquire them. He mentioned the maternity annexe and moved that a similar trolley be ordered at once. Mr McCready suggested that it be referred to the Finance Committee as there Avas a query from the secretary as to Avhere the money wasto come from. Mr Buddie: There was a sum of, £500 placed in the capital levy to cover contingencies. It will come from that. The secretary: But £117, is a good smack at it. It was decided to refer the matter to the committee. Mr Mullins observed that Mr Buddie seemed to think the neAV members Avere against all expenditure. He wanted to make, it quite clear that the ratepayers Avere up against large loans only. He for one did not feel justified in \T)ting against an expenditure of this sort which Avas goiijg to assist, in making people better. Mr Buddie: I moved this motion purposely in order to bring the matter to a head. You cannot carry on without spending money from the capital account. He read from the pledge printed in the BEACON —all further capital expenditure to be provided by citizens in proportion to income! Here was an instance he declared where the ratepayers ticket members should have adhered to. their programme until such time as the incidence of taxation AA r as altered. Where were they going to draAV the line ?

Mr Mullins: Unfortunately you are. apt to view this matter with a legal mincl. The general run of ratepayer realises that we are here to fight against the. floating of large loans;. Mr McCready: The ratepayers have given us a certain; latitude to carry out the job within reason. Any big decision should be referred back to them. That has always been my policy and I won't alter it for anyone. They did object to a loan of £45,000 but to haggle over two hun-i dred that should have been spent on this thing long ago is just, foolishness. The ratepayers won't be let down by the team that are here now! Mr Caulfield: We just feel we put a stop to endless expense. Mr Suckling: In other words you didn't say what 3 7 0u meant in the paper. Mentioning the Maori problem, Mr McCready said that the Board would try and bring any changes about in collaboration with the Government. The idea of having separate Maori wards was championed by Bishop Bennett and the Maori people themselves wanted it. Mr Buddie: How will you build the new Maori block. Mr McCready: There would be no diffculty there. We would agitate for it. After all the Government is dependant upon rates and if we get all the people thin'king like that we'd get it. He went on to instance a case at the hospital where a makeshift wooden cradle support had been utilised for a man with a severe leg injury. Mr Buddie: If there is a shortage of cradles lets order them right away. Mr McCready: Why hasn't it been done l>efore? Mr Buddie: We never knew of the shortage. Dr Dawson explained that it was impossible- to tell how man3 r cradles would be necesary. Normally they had sufficient, but. there, were times when a regular procession of leg 1 injuries occurred and all were in demand. Makeshifts had been utilised at different times. I,t was impossible to. foresee how many Avould be wanted. In any case they were hampered for storage space. On Mr Buddie's motion it was agreed to purchase six new cradles.