CHARITABLE AID

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1931, Page 6

CHARITABLE AID

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY (By Telegraph — L'er Brest Association) 1 WELLINGTON/’Oct. 28. Tim extent to which the Government is prepared to assist Hospital boards by way of subsidies towards providing outdoor rebel, was explained in tue House to-day by the Minister °f Health Mr Yo.ifug. He did so in answer to a question by his immediate predecessor in that office, Mr Stallworthy. Incidentally the reply to the question indicated that there was adherence of opinion as between the Minister. and the ex-Minister as to what had been agreed to. The question which was originally submitted to the Minister oi finance, Mr-Stewart and by him referred to the Minister of Health for a reply, was as to :whether special provision had been made for the reimbursement of the railway freights paid by the social and the relief organisations for the carriage of gifts of food coal, etc., fot free distribution to the distressed people during the last winter; or if it was proposed that the Hospital I oaids should mebt those claims, to which con. sideratioH was promised, out of the additional £105,000 subsidies made available to them for outdoor relief purposes. . V

.Mr Stallworthy added • that l lie CJ05,000 .referred to was made up of .CW’jpp hold in reserve for further asisistaticC : to. Hospital Hoards, and an additional '£*75,000 in the Supplementary 1 hid ire t.

The Minister of Finance said that his information was that no promise bad been made on the lines Indicated. All that had boon promised was that it would be considered when the Suppi mentnry Estimates were being dealt with. Another aspect was one that could be dealt with by the Minister of Health. Mr Young. Health Minister, said that the figure of £105,000 additional subsidies referred to in the question was not correct. No such sum was ever made available. The question was also in error with regard to the alleged £30,000 being held in reserve. The position was that there was a seeming saving of £30,000 on the total amount ■ orginally set by the Cabinet as a limit for all hospital subsidy purposes. The error made by Mr Stallworthy was that he had omitted to deduct from that £30,000 about £IB,OOO allotted to Hospital Boards as subsidy on voluntary contributions, and for which the Hospital Boards had made provision. The Government, added the Minister, lias decided to assist Hospital Boards to meet extraordinary demands made upon them for outdoor relief by making available £75,000, which, however, was to lie inclusive of. and not in addition to. the £30,000.