HOSPITALS CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1929, Page 1

HOSPITALS CONFERENCE

UNEMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS. BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. PALMERSTON N., March Id. It is an absolute nightmare to me, this question of unemployment relief, said -Mr Wallace (Chairman of the Hospital Boards Conference) this morning during a discussion on unemployment at the Hospital Boards Conference. The tax is inequitable and an inquitous one on the local community, which is being heavily penalised. He added that the worst feature is that we are creating a system of permanent paupers. The position is alarming and is getting worse. The hospital board should lie recouped in full by the Government. A discussion arose from a remit from Taranaki that relief caused by unem. ployment be deleted from the functions of Hospital Boards and that the executive he deputed to furnish a working scheme. An amendment moved by a Palmerston North delegate, that in the opinion of the conference the total cost of granting relief to unemployed should be borne by the Government from the Consolidated Fund and that the executive make representations to / the Government. This was carried and the original remit rejected. The next conference will be held at Timaru in 1032. The Conference approved of the principle of l>et.ter facilities and inducement to he provided for annual medica* examination of men and women over forty.