King Country Chronicle Saturday, April 13th, 1912. KING COUNTRY HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 456, 13 April 1912, Page 4

King Country Chronicle Saturday, April 13th, 1912. KING COUNTRY HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION.

Recent events in connection with the administration of the hospital affairs of this district are Bhaping inexorably in tho direction of a separation of tho King Country from the Waikato as a hospital district. Such a result sooner or lator ia inevitable, and the sooner the various local bodies in the King Country arrange a conference in the matter the better for all concerned. It should not be difficult to come to a definite understanding, upon reasonable lines, as to the details required to establish a new district, and the necessary legislation . for the purpose would undoubtedly be granted unless some extraordinary development, occurred to alter the administration of hospital districts entirely. Such alteration is foreshadowed in the much - discussed Local Government Bill which has been circulated, and which is to be discussed at a conference of local bodies to he held shortly. The new Bill, provides for the abolition of.the present hospital hoards, the functions of which are to be absorbed by the proposed provincial councils. Should (he I;ill in its present form become law there would he little alteration with respect to the representation of the K ing Country, as the present hospitßl district roughly includes the territory which it is proposed shall form the local province. However,' the proposed Hill lias yet to run the gamut of very severe criticism at the hands of local bodies throughout the Dominion, and few are optimistic as to the chances of the Bill ever reaching the Statue Book. In the meantime the foundation is being laid on which the system for the administration of the affairs of our district is to be erected. Every new development which occurs in the district addß a stone to such foundation, and every step in the march of progress emphasises an individuality for King Country which stamps its claim [ for individual recognition. The size of the district, its history and environment, have created a set of conditions which inexorably decree that its destiny shall be better worked out untrammelled by association with older localities which have already attained a maturity on distinctive lines. Expediency demands for a time the co-operation and assistance of older neighbouring districts having their established institutions, but the rapid expansion of B large territory, becoming settled under conditions common to all new districts, naturally creates enormous demands which can only be inadequately met by those having direct community of intereit. To such a stage the King Country has now attained, and its aspirations can only be properly tilled by the acceptance of entire responsibility in matters pertaining to the health and wull being of its people. Narrow parochialism is ev"i- to be deplored, and the wider tho functions of any public administrative body, consistent with fairness to all concerned, the better. How-

ever, local government can only be successful when direct community of interest » ixsts throughout the district being governed, and when financial obligations ate equitably borne. In cases of chub some portion of the community r - bound to suffer. Obviously, therefore when circumstances point t.lie way, it is to (lie general interests to ;ido; 1 ' :i course which Will obviate any danger of clash. A con-j»«* stitutiona! -ml dignified method pre* sents itscif ]!t the matter of hospital' administration, and it is the manifest ( duty of those who are intimately concerned to adopt such method without loss of time.

SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS. A matter of serious concern to the farmers throuhgout the district is the lamentable shortage of trucks for the conveyance of stock to and from mar ket. The grievance is a continually recurring one which has been the medium of representations to the departmental heads from time to time, but little alleviation of the matter has been granted. It is, of course, recognised that the shortage takes place at certain periods of the year, and if the rush season was met by the department providing a sufficient number of trucks for all emergencies the result would be a considerable number of trucks lying in idleness for the greater portion of the year. It may be said at once that the farmers lay no claim to special treatment, and t hat there is no desire to see the Railway Department put to a loss over the matter. Probably th° money lost in freights at the present time would go far to supply a sufficient number of ♦ trucks tj relieve the situation very considerably. The position is grave inasmuch as it affects the whole army of farmers throughout the North Island, and immense los 3 is occasioned through the inability to obtain facilities for transit at the time stock are j ready for market. It is to be sin- i cerely hoped the agitation at present

on foot will inspire the department to action with ,a view to relieving the position as far as possible. From the widespread nature of the complaints it is manifest the grievance exists throughout the whole of the North Island, and the transfer

of trucks from one district to another will be merely robbing Peter to pay Paul. The infliction on the farming community must inevitably become greater each season unless prompt and comprehensive measures are adopted to provide more rolling stock. The immense expansion which has taken place in the North Island due to the opening up of such great and fertile districts as the King Country is likely to continue for a number of- years, and in order to keep pace with the continually increasing demand the department will require to make provision in advance without •waiting for guidance from the results of the previous season. To anyone acquainted with the conditions a large incease in the demand for trucks must be looked for from year to year. In failing to note the natural effect of the great extension of settlement the authorities are neglecting an obvious duty both to the State and to the farming community. It is to be hoped the new Minister for Railways will be inspired to grapple with the situation, and that the result of his efforts will be a remedy for a very real and pressing grievance.