DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1925, Page 1

DOMINION ITEMS.

[by telegb ten —rEK press association'.] A BUILDING DEAL. AUCKLAND, August 8. Twneyt-three thousand pounds are involved in the acquisition by J*. Gieeson of Lighlenstciu Arnoldsons Building, where it is proposed to transfer tile business of Thames Hotel, which the Oil worth Trust intends to replace bv a lnisines.s block. HAT JUNTA' FEES AND PRIVATE WARDS. WELiUNGTON, August 8. The executive of the Hospital Boards’ Association, in a report issued to-day. replying to the recommendations of the New Zealand branch of the British -Medical Association, opposes the suggestion that the hospital policy generally should ho under the control of the Board of Health. “The hospital policy of the country,’’ states the executive of the boards, “must be in the hands of its elected representatives, and tinresponsibility for ils proper carrying out remain with the .Minister for Health.’'

‘•Tin- method of liiiaiicing private wanl accommodation is one upon which there is little difference of opinion,'’ states the executive. "So long as fees charged are fixed to cover the estimated cost of inaiiitcnani e. and. include a proportion of depreciation charges, interest on capital and administrative expenses, no radical departure from the usual method of financing capital undertakings is called for. Preference no doubt would be given to the method adopted liv power boards, ami even a temporary charge on the rates avoided if possible.” The executive opposes tin- suggestion of the 8..M.A. that the administration of charitable aid .should lie taken away from hospital boards. As to the question of patients' fees, attention is drawn to the fact-that at tlu- recent hospital conference a proposal to increase the fees “was negatived by an overwhelming majority it no doubt being thought that any attempt to raise the present lee ol !K per diem would lie attended l>v very little more revenue, whilst, it would impose hardships upon many conscientious persons, who could not really afford such fees, and might, indeed, he discouraged, thereby from seeking nccessary hospital treatment.”