DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

Chronicle (Levin), 5 February 1948, Page 4

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

Outlining tlie reasons for tlie furtlier dfelay in meeting tlie health autliorities siilce the last meeting of tlie eommitte'e, Air. Nas"h explained tliat the dfeputation appointed had been uiiable td arrange a meeting with the llirectorGfeneral of Health, Dr. Ritchie, and Dr. AicNic'ol/presnniably becau.se of the arriVal in New Zealand of Sister Kenny. Tliey were not prepared to cdiifer with ' ' dtlier * otticers ' ' ,of : thn departnient, f feeling- "that it would t be a waste of -time. - . , • Although hfe . lia,4 pressed for ihe dfeputation to he. yeeei.yqd^/lleforfe the . ^^Jxd^hh-year/he "hitci"'' hot' "been siic-^-essful, said Air. Nash. The committee lifid been told that tlie question of the sanatorium and site must. ho'kl. over until the new year. In Wellington rechntly, lie liad stressed to tlie Ministeio'f Health 's dfiice tlie urgency of the Otaki projfeet, ahd fexprfessed the ,alarm . b'feing felt by the committee regarding the, prolonged delays. A telegram. had since been received advising that the Minister would meet tlife de'phtfitioh in lier feffice at Wellingtdii dh Eebrhafy IS td discuss thfe Otaki pfopoSals. ' Represeutativfes df the

Palinferstoh North Hospital Poard would also discuss with the Minister thfe question df thfe F.feliding Maternity iidme. ' Air. Phillipps mentioned that • livfe officers df State departments would attend the confereiice, and it was lioped tliat soniething could be settled. It was dhcided that thfe sub-commit-tfefe ptfevidhsly'set tip fd'iiieet the Minister' should attend the conference. 'i'he dfiginhl festiniate for .the Otaki .project had been between' £20,000 and £25,000, and tlie lowest tender received had been in e'xcess of £30,000, said Air. Nash. Mr; Toogood: To-morrdw it will be over £40,000: