HOSPITALS CONFERENCE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9169, 12 June 1908, Page 5

HOSPITALS CONFERENCE.

OUTDOOR RELIEF CONDEMNED.

Press Association. ’ Wellington, June 11. Dr. Yalintiue made another pronouncement at the Hospital Conference with reference to the question of subsidies to Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. He said he was sorry he had nothing definite to put before the delegates. He had hoped to have made some authoritative statement on the subject, bat at present he was not in a position to do so. He would tell them frankly what he hoped to accomplish. This was the reduction absolutely of any subsidy ou out door relief. Speak-, ing Generally, he did not see the need of making any reduction on hospitals which, for the most part, were well administered, and there was little suggestion of undue extravagance. Such was not the case in regard to charitable institutions, some of which were providing appliances and comforts which were rather in excess of what was" absolutely required for invalids. He maintained, with regard to out-door relief, that institutions were putting recipients in far better position with regard to the comforts of life than the struggling labourer. It was the struggling man who had to pay towards the keep of these people, who were plated in better circumstances and conditions than himself and family. He wished he had more eloquence to denounce the system of out-door relief and the indiscriminate way in which it was given. He quoted an extract by Judge Ashcroft from his review of the English Poor Law system. He thought they had a lot to learn from it. He felt quite strongly on this, and said he was certain that no substantial reduction in the cost of outside relief would be made until the Government subsidy was withheld.” It is in that direction that I shall move and use my efforts as long as I hold my present position,” declared the speaker. One delegate pointed out that there was no distinction in the Bill between hospital and charitable aid. Mr A. Bain said he was afraid that if the suggestion was carried out it would not do much good. Instead of making a reduction, it would result in increased cost, and a number of outdoor recipients of relief received 2s 6d and 3s per week under the present system. If those grants were abolished these people would have to go into the homes, and it would cost the ratepayers a good deal more to keep them there. The Chairman, replying to a question, said his proposals would not affect the homes.

Mr Bagnall: If you do not, you: will he on the wrong track. The Chairman: If there is no alternative but going to the homes they would make a big struggle to keep themselves. The delegates unanimously ausented to this view. Mr Bagnall remarked that the Government should undertake the maintenance of children who were committed to an industrial school. The commitments were made without reference to the Boards, yet they had. to contribute 7s 6d per week towards the children’s up-keep until they were 15 years of age. Mr Kirk agreed with this view and remarked that last year’s contributions by the Wellington trustees in this connection amounted to £3200. Charitable aid must he cut down. A long discussion ensued over the matter, most of the speakers beiug against the reduction of the subsidy. Canon Jordan, in condemning the proposal, said if subsidies were reduced it would bring about in New Zealand the present curse in Ireland-—the abominable workhouse system—and he hoped he would never live to see the day when this was brought about. Eventually on the motion of Mr Bellringer, it was decided to recommend that the Government subsidy remain as at present. Dr. Yalintine: I haven’t done with it vet. Mr Norris moved, seconded by Mr Galloway, that this meeting considers that if the Government reduces the subsidy on outdoor relief they should take over the cost of maintenance of all children committed to industrial schools. After discussion this motion was withdrawn.

Dr. Yalintine said it seemed to him that he was playing a lone hand, but he was not quite the heartless person some of the delegates would have them to believe. It was impossible, in his present position, for him to tell them the whole of his scheme. Nothing was more infectious than pauperism. At the present time in New Zealand they had paupers of the third generation, and the sooner the children were relieved from the environment of pauperism the more likely they were to become dutiful citizens of the State.