AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

LBkL'THUS Tei.euuams.] •sFIICiICONS’ CONCH!ESS. NEW YORK, October 20. At the Surgeon’s Congress, Sir Limlo Ferguson (New Zealand) outlined tho history of Dunedin University Hospital indicating its striking growth ami efficiency. iintii to-day it had received the approval of the American College of .Surgeons Siam'aidisation Committee. He (oniniented on the fact that the hospital stall', unlike those of tho American University Hospitals, is not appointed by the University, 'but by Hospital Trustees, lie stressed the desirability of adopting the American practice. I)r. Elliott indicated the manner in which New Zealand hospitals recoivo (loverninent support, and said the responsibility which the Hospital Boards have to the ratepayers acts as a check on their expenditure. The frame work of the New Zealand hospital system was too complicated for the needs of the country, and many cf the hospital districts could not justify their existence. Attempts at their amalgamation had thus far failed, because of the local sentiment and of political interference. The financing of the hospitals by local rates, with (loverninent subsidy, was a good system in New Zealand, but much more should be done to encourage free-will offerings.