AUCKLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1929, Page 2

AUCKLAND HOSPITAL BOARD

APPEAL TO MINISTER OF HEALTH (By Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, Fob. 4. The way to the solution of the unemployment problem lay along the road of land settlement on a large scale, coupled with an extensive Public Works policy,' declared the Minister ot Health (Mr Stallworthy), when the Auckland Hospital Board asked that relief be given from the heavy burden imposed on Charitable Aid Boards, in consequence or appeals from men who could not find work. Palliative measures were insufficient in themselves said the Minister. The problem would remain unsolved if huge grants were made to Charitable Aid Boards and matters left as at present. However, he would communicate immediately with Sir Joseph Ward so that Cabinet might consider the easing of the burden of the Auckland Board. During the past ten months the Auckland Board had expended £37,713 on Charitable Aid said Chairman Wallace. Approximately half that sum was spent in relief of unemployment distress. Only £30,000 bad been placed on the estimates from which the Minister could judge that distress had lieen much more prevalent than was anticipated. It was expected that before the financial year closed the total of £45.000 at least would be expended if the same rate of progress was maintained. "Rtclicf of unemployment should not he a tax on the local ratepayer’’, declared Wallace. “It should bo a national burden. Some Boards arc giving practically no relief. Auckland is the largest seaport and the city is the hardest hit.”