Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1921. THE HOSPITALS COMMISSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1921, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 1921. THE HOSPITALS COMMISSION.

The latest gazette gives lull particulars of the scope of the Hospital Boards’ Commission ol which Messrs D. Downie Stewart M.P. (chairman), Alex D. McLeod, M.P., William H. Triggs, M.L.C. George S'-iirtclili'e, and Hugh T. D. Acland are the members. The Commission is set up for the purpose of investigating the question of hospital subsidies, and in connection with the proposal Dr T. Ih A. Valintine, Director-Gen-eral of Hospitals, has addressed the folloiwng circular letter to the various Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards:— ‘■The department is asking the boards of the four chief centres, and also the Westland Board (the West Coast being badly served as regards the present rate of subsidies), each to send a delegate to express their Views upon the subsidy proposals. The department is also making the Waikato and Palmerston North hoards each to send a delegate, as these boards receive a low rate of subsidy under the proposed scheme. It hi felt that this will enable the views' of all concerned to be thoroughly ventilated, hut should your hoard desire to send a representative to give evidence, x shonl he, glad if you would let me know_ and I will convey your desire to the Chairman of the Commission. The order of reference to the Commission is as follows :

“(1) The extent to which the Government should contribute towards the capital requirements of hospital boards and the basis upon which such contributions should he given.

“(2) (a) The extent to which the Government should contribute towards the net maintenance requirements of hospital boards in the Dominion; (b) the basis of allocation of any such contribution amongst the individual hoards.

“(3) The extent to which the Government should contribute to subsidise voluntary contributions.

“4) The extent to which the Government should contribute towards the funds of separate institutions under the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act.

“(5) The extent to which the Government should make grants in aid of various charitable societies and institutions.

“(6) The fees that should he charged for maintenance and treatment in public hospitals.

‘(7) The present method of allocation of representation of contributory local authorities and the ratepayers on the hospital ' :-’s. having regard also to the nature of the suffrage.

“(8) Tho desirability, or otherwise, of providing for Government representation upon hospital hoards by means of nominated members.

“(9) The constitution and area of the present hospital districts, and whether the present grouping of local authorities in the various districts is the best and fairest method of distributing tho cost of the base hospitals throughout the Dominion amongst the various local authorities.

“(10) Generally, ns to any matters in connection with hospitals or charitable aid which may be referred to it by the Hon. tho Minister for Health.”