Charitable Aid Conference.

Hastings Standard, Issue 456, 21 October 1897, Page 2

Charitable Aid Conference.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, Oct. 20. This afternoon the question pf substituting the control of" hospitals by District Boards for separate trustees was introduced. Mr Talbot (Timaru) moved that the trustees of separate institutions (hospitals) be required to furnish to the District Boards, when making their annual demands for maintenance, returns showing details of their expenditure.—Mr M'Whirter (Westland) moved an amendment in favor of the abolition of all separate institutions, relating both to hospitals and charitable aid, so that the whole control should be left to District Boards. Dr Macgregor, who w r as present, pointed out the abuses which arose from the creation of so many separate institutions. i After considerable discussion Mr M'Whirter's amendment was carried. Mr Roche (Southland) moved that it is desirable local bodies should be partially represented by women on Charitable Aid Boards.—Negatived. A suggestion which appeared on the order paper that consideration should be given to the question of providing a training ship for the colony was struck out as being outside the province of the Conference. A committee was set up to consider the question of reforms required in the method of outdoor relief, and to submit a report to the Conference. The Conference then adjourned till next day. This day. The committee appointed by the Charitable Aid Conference on outdoor relief reported that it should be wholly in the hands of the Charitable Aid Boards elected by local contributors or bodies repsescntative of the ratepayers ; that farms and industrial institutions should be established as a test for the large cities for able-bodied persons of both sexes, and the Government asked to assist; that a differential mode of applying relief should exist between large centres and smaller towns; deserted women and children should be housed in cottages provided by the Boards, whq should supply rations direct in^U' ,{ stfrt>? 4 through contractors. Con-ddornlkm , was postponed. It was moved that t !, e distribution of Charitable Aid should , <t with those who provided the money ; that each County Council be a board, and large boroughs form their own boards, was lost. The following were carried : That Boards be elected for three years ; that the Act be amended to prevent persons leaving town districts to enter another hospital and becoming a charge on the district left ; that Government bo asked to amend the imposing of duties on cbacitable legacies,