King Country Chronicle SATURDAY, AUG. 3, 1912 THE HOSPITAL MOVEMENT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 488, 3 August 1912, Page 4

King Country Chronicle SATURDAY, AUG. 3, 1912 THE HOSPITAL MOVEMENT.

Taking the public interest on Thursday at Te Kuiti as a reliable manifestation of the public mind there can be little doubt that the desire for a local public hospital is a very real and cherished sentiment. There was probably no thought in the mind 3 of the promoters that such widespread interest would be aroused, and it is obvious to all that a thoroughly organised movement on another occasion will meet even greater support than the initial function. The majority of people are doubtless aware that the establishing of a public hospital in any locality is a work of considerable magnitude and responsibility. Under persent conditions as to control of the Hospital district there is hardly a possibility of a hospital being established in the King Country. At present the King Country is portion of the Waikato Hospital district and contributes towards the district public hospital at Hamilton. The conditions have been found admirable in the past, but there can be no doubt the tim 9 is fast approaching when the Kins Country will require a much more central district hospital than the Hamilton institution. In order to attain this object it will be necessary to establish a separate hospital district, which will presumably include the greater portion of the King Country. For this purpose special legislation will be necessary and a Hospital Board, composed of representatives from the whole district, will require to be established. Upon such board will rest the responsibility of determining the policy to be adupted concerning the establishing of hospitals, and at which centre the district hospital will be set up. It will thus be seen that the formation of a new district is not to be lightly undertaken. The revenue necessary for the establishing and upkeep of a hospital is very considerable and though the Government contributes largely to the board, the establishing of a new district wuuld probably mean that residents within such district would require to bear a heavier rate than at present is the case. There are times, however, when financial considerations are entirely outweighed by the exigencies of the occasion, and the call of humanity inspires the public to commendably unselfish action. Whether the time is ripe for definite action can only bo decided by calm and careful consideration on the part of the people affected. The reasonable initial action would be the appointment of a thoroughly representative committee to act with the local representative on the Waikato Hospital Board for the purpose of acquiring such information as would be necessary to guide thu public in determining a definite course of action. In view of the fact that a Backblocks Local Bodies' Association is at present in course of formation in

the district the matter is one which can be left to a conference of the local authorities interested. Meanwhile there need be no cessation of interest in the movement already started. Whatever decision may be arrived at by the conference every effort made in the cause of humanity is worthy of support. Moreover, there is every probability that the money at present being contributed will be devoted towards the well being of the humanity inhabiting the King Country.