£100,000 ASKED

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1931, Page 4

£IOO,OOO ASKED

BY HOSPITAL BOARD. FOR POOR RELIEF. (By Telegraph—Ber Bress Association) WELLINGTON, September 10. A deputation from the New Zealand Hospital Board’s Association waited on the Prime Minister with a request for a grant of one hundred thousand sterling, in order that the Hospital Boards of the Dominion. might cope with the increased demand for out-door relief. The Prime Minister said that he recognised the valuable work that was being done by tile Hospital Boards, and he realised the difficulties they were up against, because of the abnormal demands for out-door relief. However, the problem was a difficult one, because every increased grant that was made was immediately swallowed up, and that process could not go on indefinitely. The Government had to take a stand to keep the finances within reasonable bounds, and must endeavour to prevent the problem becoming a permanent one. He recognised, however, that something would have to Fe done to provide further assistance for the Boards, and he promised to go carefully into the matter, with a view to giving them further aid. The Prime Minister said 7 .

that recognised the tremendous value of voluntary work done at the present time.