The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1926. AN OPEN CONFESSION.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1926. AN OPEN CONFESSION.

Declaring that New Zealand had done more for its people in the way of hospital conveniences than any other country, the Director-General of Health recently indicated that the time had come to call a halt in expenditure. “We have been too extravagant in our views,” he said. Dr Y alintine, who made this open confession, was speaking at the .Masterton Hospital, and later to members of the Rotary Club. Ho stressed the absolute need for strict economy in expenditure on public health. He stated that New Zealand had done well in its effort to guard the health of the people, letter than any country in the world, but the time had come for a halt to lie called, pile object of bis visit to the hospital was to discuss the proposed expenditure by the Wairarapa Hospital Board of £IO,OOO on extension of accommodation for the nursing staff, which is at present some''hat crowded. In very plain words, Dr Valentine made it clear that lie was opposed to any further expenditure by hospital hoards where if! could be avoided. ‘‘l have been advised,” lie said, “that wo are in for a bad time, and my Department lias been requested to economise wherever possible. New Zealand lias done more for its people in the way of hospital convenience than any other nation in the world, but we have been too extravagant in our views here. M c have five beds per 1000 of population, while England Jins only one lied per 1000. It seems to mo that if we bad double the number of beds we should still fill them, but that state of affairs is not desired.” Quite recently, continued, be bad to oppose extensive expenditure by two hospital boards, who were anxious to launch out and make further elaborate provision for hospital treatment. New Zealand was going too fast in this direction, and it would be his policy in the immediate future to sit tight and watch which way things were going to jump. The only new expenditure which lie could approve was for the provision of maternity hospitals, and this phase of the matter had to he catered for. He honestly believed that the country was very well liospitalled at present, and he did not favour the development of any institution which could possibly carry on with its present facilities. Speaking later in the day at a Rotary Club luncheon, Dr Valintine reiterated bis warning, and added that lie wished to impress on the community the advantages that- they enjoyed compared with other countries, and that a halt had to he called for the time being. The standard of New Zealand’s equipment, facilities, medical attention, and nursing, compared very favourably with those of other and older countries of the world, but some way had to he found of carrying on without further expansion for some time to come. The statement hv Dr Valintine,is arresting, particularly on account of the confession by the Director-General of Health that there is a had time ahead, and the Department lias been requested to economise where possible. This is an indication that at last the Government is beginning to practice what it has been preaching, probably brought to mind that the country may not go so readily now on the borrowing market for loans. It would appear the Government is going to make a virtue of necessity, and it is well the situation has Jieen brought home at last. So far as hospital expenditure is concerned, the ratepayers will feel some satisfaction that, a halt is being called. The ratepayers have to find a substantil quota of the cost .and necessarilv all the extensions and additions in buildings and. in staff, have been adding to the permanent cost to be met annually. That a halt has been called suggests some measure of relief to the ratepayers, and for that relief at least there will be a wide expression of general thanks. 1