Another Secret Discussion On Sanatorium Site

Chronicle (Levin), 7 October 1948, Page 6

Another Secret Discussion On Sanatorium Site

The sit'e for the propose'd Western Hospital DistrictS' Sanatorium at Levin has been approved by the Minister of Health (Miss' M. Howard) and negotiations are proceeding for its purehase. . , This statement was issued to the PreSs yesterday following a meeting of rhe Western Hospital District's Sanatorium Commirtee at Gonville, Wanganui, in which all discussion concerning the site was con'ducted in committee. Considerable opposition to the matter being discussed in committee preceded the discussion, but. it was eventualiy deci'ded, with two negative votes, to deal with the matter in committee' and to issue a statement to 'the Press when the open meeting was resumed. "I think we are taking the wrong step> in going into commibcee on matters of this sort," said Mr. R. J. Brokenshire (New Piymouth) when the chairman (Mr. J. A. Nash) made the proposal. "If we ignore the power given to us by Press pub'iicity we are throwing away a chance to achieve our ends. ' We have trie'd giving the Press a 'handout' before without appreciable results. Now we shouid stay in open meeting and let the reporters talce the full story. By closing down we are not doing our duty to the public." Mr. W. J. Gau-din (Wellington) said if the Minister had given approval of the site the public snouid be told. There could be no harm if that were the case. Mr. C. Brenton Rule (Taumarunui) agreed in principle with Mr. Brokenshire but thought the present subject shouid be discussed in committee when all cireumstances were considered. It was the job of the committee 'to work in the public interest and, as the chairman knew what was to be discussed, the meeting would be fooiish not -to be gui'ded by him. He could see no harm in this so long as the ultimate decision of the committee was made known. "I do >know that it would be ,well worth our while to thrash this out in committee and issue a statement afterwards," said Mr. H. F. Toogoo'd (Wellington). The public had had to wai't for news of the site for some time so it would not matter -if they had to wait a little longer, said Mrs. A. K. Maclean (Wanganui) . A depision on the matter could be expecte'd before long. The statement issued by the committee discloses no'thing which was not known to the public two months ago. On August 5 the Minister visited Levin and inspeoted the site. Afterwards she publicly .expresse'd her* approval- of-. .it and stated that she would instruot the committee. to proceed with negotiations. • Later, speaking in Parliament, Miss Howard reiterated her approval. Mr. J. J. Maher, M.P., also speaking in the House, went a step- further and sai'd the site was situated within close proximity to Playford Park. It is curious why the committee shouid find it necessary to tell the public of the Minister's approval two months after it had been announced. The location of the site is common knowledge in Levin, but in spite of this the authorities still maintain their attitude .of secrecy whenever anything to do with the project is discussed.