HOSPITAL BOARD SEAT

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22514, 23 September 1938, Page 12

HOSPITAL BOARD SEAT

LABOUR MEMBER RESIGNS

PROTEST AGAINST HEALTH SCHEME

As a protest against' what he, considers the inadequacy, of the health provisions of the Social' Security legislation, Dr. R. E. Hope-Pearson, a Labour member of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, has handed in his resignation from the board. “I could not conscientiously sit round the table and put into operation the provisions of the Social Security Act,” said Dr. Hope-Pearson last evening. “When I was approached to stand for the board, I believed that the scheme was a good deal more radical than it has turned out to be. It is now merely a glorified panel scheme after the English model. It is a scheme to treat disease,' and not to ensure health in the population.”

Dr. Hope-Pearson said that he had no ulterior motive in resigning at this stage. He felt that if he had held over his resignation till after the election, in the event of a loss by the Government he would be accused of turning down a losing party. “It has been-a very difficult thing for me to resign now,” hie said, “but I am not a political shuffler. My action will be open to a lot of criticism, and most of it will be, unjust. I have had some already. One man, who did not give his name, rang up and asked what the National Party had paid me to resign now.” . Dr, Hope-Pearson has been a member of the Labour Party for some years. He was a delegate on the Labour Representation Committee until about two months ago when he resigned owing to pressure of work. Two years ago. Dr. Hope-Pearson, after a great deal of research, submitted a complete health scheme to the Government. The scheme, he said, was a radical reorganisation of the who!; health system of the Dominion, and was aimed at raising the standard of health of the Dominion through proper health education and prevention of disease at its source. Among other things. Dr. Hope-Pear-son believed that the whole hospital system needs complete overhaul. Dr. Hope-Pearson’s resignation was handed m on Tuesday. The next meeting of’the board will be held on Wednesday.