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Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1926, Page 2

Tin: proposals suggested hi regard to the reform of hospital management by t lie expert who has visited New Zealand from the I'nited States, will no doubt he of consideruhlc value. Some forecast has been given already of his earlier conclusions. From that gathered that being accustomed to tho expanse of the I'nited States, ho was disposed to consider larger areas ior districts essential. New Zealand is spending a good deal on. public health, and the existing system has been built up 111 moot local requirements. Hallway and motor transit nowadays has altoi'ail the whole complexion of transport, and iu> doubt a good deal can 1.0 done and is being, done, in tho way of oentralination. But community of interest must play some part, and where a local system lias been well established over a term of years, and has been running sniootldv to the evident, satisfaction of the ratepayers, there should ho some hesitancy about radical changes. The first essential about hospital .administration seems to be efficiency, and if this is achieved with reasonable economy, tho conditions pertaining in any district should not, he disturbed ruthlessly. The expert's report, however, is sure to command a good deal of respect and attention, for the paying public will.look for and expect efficiency with economy in any system which is to become universal. Some releronce is

made in the preliminary suggestions put forward for more publicity in regard to hospital matters to attract and retain the interest of the public. Time was when the existence of the hospitals depended almost entirely on public support In all mining districts it has been customary for hospitals to take a foremost place fn the public favor, and the old feeling is to he found in the rising generation. No •appeal in this district- on behalf of the hospital falls on deaf ears, and the annual benefit is liberally and universally patronised always. The success of a hospital depends in the first place on its internal management, and on the Superintendent and responsible head in the nursing and domestic side of the work. Westland Hospital in particular has been very well served over a. long term of yours, in the officials indicated, while in the committees of management there has been a strain of enthusiasm which looked well to the public weal of the institution. Very happily officered, and enthusiastically directed, the looial institution has enjoyed a period of uscfiiness which is a matter of pleasure and pride to the people, who are justly proud of the" hospital. The publicity it has enjoyed in the respects referred to has been well earned and greatly appreciated.

It is noticeable that the American hospitals in the disturbed area in China are having an unfriendly time at the hands of the Chinese, and two important American hospitals have had to be closed. What is to happen next in China? asks Dr J. P. Bruce in ‘‘The Weekly Wesminster." It is not possible to give a definite answer. Wn Peifu’s declared purpose of unifying China seems farther off than ever from its accomplishment, whether by force or otherwise. Chang Tso-lin. another military governor or war lord who dominated the stage for a time, has no purpose beyond that of maintaining and extending his own power. Then there is Feng Yu-hsiang. the ‘•Christian General.” who is perhaps the most arresting figure of the three. He is an out-rind-out nationalist, his slogan is ‘‘China for tile Chinese.” Untutored and impetuous though he is, he is nevertheless a man with a forceful personality. His political sympathies are with the extreme left-, though it is going beyond the facts to name him Bolshevist. Some of Feng’s recent doings have brought his ‘‘Christian” profession to disrepute, as. for example, his desertion of Wu, and his bellicose outbursts and- support- of violent methods in the recent student agitations. In spite of these things, however, it must be borne in mind that his religion has been, and is, a tremendous dynamic for hint : it has created a personality clean, honest and lovable. His army stands alone among all the armies of China as a clean armv—an army, too. which , from the military point of view is the most efficient, and therefore, the one most to be reckoned with.