AMALGAMATION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1933, Page 8

AMALGAMATION

OF HOSPITAL DISTRICTS

STATEMENT Hi' MINISTER

CHRISTCHURCH,

March 22.

Questioned yesterday about the proposed amalgamation of hospital districts, and the. possible effect gf such an.i. lgamation on hospital institutions in ‘Canterbury, the .Minister for Health (the Hon. J. A. Young) said he couid not,yet make any definite statement; .but hospital boards could root assumed that no hasty 'action would he taken, arbitrarily, to force the amalgamation cf .districts.

The recent amendment to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Act,, which the Minister had hod passed by Parliament during the recent session, provided more effective machinery for bringing about such amalgamations. Formerly, 'amalgamation had been possible only with the mutual agreement of the districts concerned; and experience had ‘.shown that quite important reforms had been thwarted because ■,purely local considerations had overshwlcwed the larger national interests. .

To illustrate his point, the Minister cited the . case cf an old servant of. a small hospital board. In that instance, the whole question of an aipnlg.’itpation of districts had depended .pi whether he. was pensioned or retained all his life.

“The amendment,” said the Minister, “provides .machinery, very similar to that now. ’ obtaining in the Counties Act for bringing about the amalgamation of counties. Where after discussion between the Department ofi and the hospital hoards concerned, it' is found that there is a deadlock, and that the proposed reform is being hindered by lack of mutual agreement, the Minister may of a l\lagi "trate, or. a . Magistrate •'."»d one ..other person, to take evidence in, the districts concerned, to report, and, if it is thought necessary, to make recommendations to the Government, The Minister may then, if he •deems it advisable bn the evidence, bring about amalgamation within the terms of the recommendations of the Commission, and give effect to them by Order-’n-Council.”

• Opposition lapd been forthcoming, stated Mr .Young, on the grounds that that should be done only bv statute, and net by Order-in-Council; but' lie said the position would reduce Parliament to .the standard of road board o- pi-T’sh politics.