HOSPITAL BOARDS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 7, 3 October 1919, Page 3

HOSPITAL BOARDS

METHOD OF ELECTION QUESTION OF UNIFORM SUBSIDY Tho subject of hospital board elections was discussed at the conference.of the Counties'' Association on Wednesday, when tho following remit was submitted by the Murchison County Council:— 'That the existing provisions for election of members of hospital and charitable aid boards lie repealed, and in substitution therefor provision be made enabling the appointment of members of such boards by, and from amongst members of, tho local body or bodies of the contributory districts." In moving tho remit, Mr. J. Brown snid, that he knew tho proposal would "trend on the corns" of some people, but hospital and charitable aid expenditure was increasing and the money was being spent by todies over which the councils had no control. Sir James Wilson (Mariawatu) seconded the remit. He snid the old system by which the local bodies elected, representatives to the hospital boards was far preferable to the present method. At present the local bodies had no control over hospital board expenditure, although they bad to find money for the boards to spend. Tho Hon. J. B. Gow, M.L.C. (Whukatano), said he did not think it was at all likely that tho old system of nomination by local bodies could be reverted to. What should be guarded against was amalgamation of local bodies with n varying franchise for the purpose of hospital' board or hnrbour board elections. Each district should vote independently in proportion to the rateable value of the property in the district. The president (Mr. A. ,E. Jull) said the difficulty with regard to election expenses was that at present the hospital board elections took place at different times from the county council elections. He did not think the question of -franchise had anvthing to do with the matter. Hospital board . expenditure was increasing, this being due to the Department forcing schemes entailing huge expenditure on to the hospital boards. The remit was lo»l. ' 1 A further remit from Waitomo that tho election of members to hospital boards should be based, on the Portiamentarv franchise was also lost. Mr. W. H. M'lntyre (Bullor) moved: "That the Government'subsidy fo hospitals be fiubstant'.ally ' increased in order to lessen the levy on local bodies." Mr. F. G. Ilorrell (Eyre) sunportcci Hie motion. The minimum subsidy, he con-' ridered. should- be .£ for £. At present the method of allocating subsidies was « "Chinese puzzle," for the amounts varied very greatly in different districts. Sir James Wilson (Manawatu) though; it only fair that the subsidy should be J! for £, and that the matter should bo placed on a uniform basis. Tin moved an amendment in that direction. The amendment was carried. Mr. G. T. Mulcock (ilalswell) moved that tho Hospital and Charitablo Aid Boards Act be amended so as to allow boards to get full subsidies on moneys raised by way of loan for permanent buildings. The motion was carried. " On behalf of the 'Aniuri County Council, Sir. M. Befhell proposed'"That this association endeavour by tnvry means in its power to have the present unjust system of rating contributory bodies for 'hospital and charitablo aid purposes altered on tho following lino-3: — (1) Annual contributions to be calcu lated upon a population basis, instead of on the capital value, as at present. (2) Only sufficient money to be raised annually by hospital hoards to cover ordinary "upkeep and depreciation and interest on the amount spent on now works and extensions. (8) Moneys required for capital cost of new works to be supplied bv raising loans extending over a period of from twenty to tiiirly years." Sir. F. Horrell said it would be most unfair to make the cities bear tho heavier cost of contributions. Thdt. positipn would certainly arise if contributions were made oil a population bnsia. Sir. Gow opposed the proposal, Wealth, he said, should contribute in ratio- to tho funds of the hospitul boards. Tho.s« who had money should bo prepared to pay for those who had none. Sir James "Wilson was also against the motion. The cities, he pointed out, had the best surgeons, and many country people preferred to take advantage of the facilities provided in the larger city hospitals. They must also have large hospitals in which to train nurses. Thai! work could be - best carried out in thx city hospitals. Tho president (Mr. A.E. Jull) b.iid that the country districts had not i«ceived sufficient consideration in the mat tor of hospitals. Too much iiad been given to the cities. The population in the country would increase, and good training for nurses would bo obtainable in country hospitals. Tho first scction of the motion wab tc jected. the second was withdrawn, and the third was also lost. A remit from the Ohin&muri County Council was proposed to the effeefc that Government be requested to iutroduci. legislation giving power to hospital and charitable aid boards to impose and collect their own rates, in lieu of levying on local, bodies, as at present.' Several delegates took the view that tho proposal would only lead to aornplications, and the motion was lost.