AN INTERVIEW.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 December 1924, Page 1

AN INTERVIEW.

MEMBER FOR WESTLAND. AY A ITS OX HOSPITAL JiOAltl). A FRANK DISCUSSION'. At the meeting of the Westland Hospital Pio.ird. Mr James O’Brien .Member for Westland, waited on members in connect ion with the recent decision of the Board' to reduce the monthly payment to old ago pensioners who nre inmates of Westland Hospital or the Old People's Home, from Ids to ds per month. .Mr O'Brien was invited by the Chairman to place the matter lay wished to discuss before members of the Board. Mr O’Bl'ien stated that the fact that the inmates of the Old People’s Home had had their allowance cut down from Ids to ds per month, was felt very keenly by them. They objected very intensely ut their monthly allowance being cut down, and they had represented In him their feelings. and had asked him to protest to the Board on their behalf. It had been pointed out to him that some of them would not have a shilling for Xmas. He had offered to come before the Board on their behalf, and it was with great pleasure he did so. The old people at Westland Hospital were of a fine stamp, with a feeling of independence. He had come on their helm If to ask the Board to rescind the resolution, or. if they could not do that, to make them a special grant from the funds to tide them over the Xmas season. He had heard of the reduction when in session, and he had interviewed Ministers mid head olficials, in company with the late Hon Mr (Irinnuoml. and they had given n favourable consideration, hat said the ilia tier was not in their hands to deal wit’ll. lie would lisle that consideration he given to his rerpicst. At present there was a general dissatisfaction among the inmates, and he asked the Board to give farther consideration to the matter, and try to make the inmates more satisfied than they were at present.

The Chairman snid he had previously given Mr O'Brien the whole particulars of the position, and personally he had not made any change in his opinion on the action of the Board, and he would oppose any proposal to rescind the resolution. Mr .lell'ries said the liunucinl nircumslaiiecs necessitated the Board taking the action they did. lie was of opinion the Board could not go hack on the resolution made on the matter. The Board was forced to the position it took up. Not, one pensioner, male or female, was worse oil' than they were before the reduction was made. The Board had been forced to economise, lie was convinced the Board's decision was a correct one, and he could not see his way to alter the decision Hint had been duly made after full consideration. The Chairman said the old people were well treated and he did not see that any change could lie made. Mr Davidson said a tax had to he made to assist the hospital hut they were looking forward to much better conditions now they were under one institution. The inmates were not better treated in anv other hospital in Ihe Dominion. The Board had been forced to carry out the reduction made. Mr Wells said Ibe whole matter was thought out by the Board before i nv action was taken, and be did not ibiuk any hardship ".mild result to the bimates. Mr Spiers said they knew his attitude on the matter. The ipiestinn was dealt with" after 10.:ti) at night- when he was not present. Mr Jeffries rose to u point of i.rdm’. that .Mr Spieis hud no right to refer to tin’ action taken by the Board. Th.it, was thrashed out at a previous inerting. The Chairman npb.ld tin- t---i,J of order. Mr Spiers said it appeared to him that the Chairman desired to baulk dis. eussion that was against the attitude he (Mr Breeze) bad laken up. Mr Dull' rose a point of order that there was no motion before Die meeting. lie objected to till* discussion nit bout anv motion.

Mr Mnrrl said that lie supported tin* Hoard's alt itmli-. 11.- I'.'lt Hint they illuvial ill tin l right direction ami that tliv inmates’ personal i-oinfiu'l liail not been prejudiced nun inla. Mr O’liricii said lie was sorry that members had taken the at til tide they had voiced. lie had lmned he would have heeii mure successful with his representations. The amount of money saved was very small, and should have been taken from the ralenavers, not. from the old penult'. lie did not like the reference of the Chairman that the men could oo elsewhere it they did not like it. Ill' did not think it would he a great hardship even if an increased lew of £!•_>(> was made to cover the amount involved, lie was sorry at the attitude of the Hoard, and he intimated that he would personally see that they did not suffer at Xmas. lie thought that if they did have to retrench. the Hoard should not have started with the old people. lie had heen siipiroried in Wellington hy the late Mr (Irimmond. who had taken til) the same attitude as he (Mr (t’lirieul had. and if lie had been alive hi* would have heen present that night to support the protest he was making at the action of the Hoard. Sir Francis Ill'll had taken up the same attitude.

Mr Jeffries- Sir Francis is not a ratepayer. lie was a representative of the largest body of ratepayers and was urged to carry out retrenchment wherever possible. Mr O’lirien said even if lie were not a ratepayer. Sir Francis was an able man. and many others took up a similar altitude, font inning Mr O'Krien said he hoped that Mr .lellries would never have to become an inmate of that home. lie might then change his opinion.

.Mr .Te’ries retorted it he were lie would have a better home than the one he was in at present. Mr O'llrion continuing urged members to reconsider the granting ol the inmates of an additional amount per month, and forcibly further expressed Ids regret at I lie attitude taken up by the Hoard.

Mr Hrec/e said it appeared to him that the whole question was a matter of |Os per month. Tf it had not been for the help of the Savings Hank th" Hoard would have been bankrupt. Tile financial position had been a very difficult one.

Mr ()'lirien said he took' up the attitude that he would rather take off the ratepayers what the Hoard were taking olf the old men. The Chairman said the Hoard led heen in a precarious position at the time, and lie would have saved 'JOd it he could have done so. Mr O’lirien said lie was very sorry. The Chairman said Mr O'lirien was not as sorry as lie (Mr llreeze) was over the matter. Mr O’Hrien said he was loyal to the old West Coast spirit, and he did not think it was getting a fair spin at present. Mr Jeffries objected to the remark. It was not. Mr O'H men's right to make smli a reference to the mem Iters of the Hoard. Mr O’Hrien said lie had made the re-