REPRESENTATION ON HOSPITAL BOARD.

Shannon News, 11 September 1928, Page 3

REPRESENTATION ON HOSPITAL BOARD.

SUGGESTED APPOINTMENT BY LOCAL BODIES. NO ACTION TAKEN BY HOROWHENUA COUNTY COUNCIL. The Palmerston North Borough Council ’a circular, giving the summary of replies by local bodies on the question of revising the system of representation on hospital boards, came before the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday, together with a request for the appointment of a delegate to take part in the deputation to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health on September 13th. “What are they aiming at?” asked C)i* Jensen* The Chairman (Mr G. A. Monk): I think that the Palmerston Council’s aim is that representation on the Board should be direct from the various local bodies, and not from the people. At present the representatives aie elected by the populai vote, on a ratepayers’ franchise, in the county, with the addition of a residential franchise in the boroughs. The point is that the local bodies who have to find the money should have the choice of the representatives. I do not think that any Government, whether in power now or likely to come into power, would, take away such a/ method of democratic representation as we have at present. It would mean that, instead of candidates for the Board going to the poll next May, the .County Council would be elected and then would appoint three representatives, either from the Council or outside, to sit on the Board. Tlie point is this: Should you choose the three representatives, or should the people who choose us also have the right to choose the' representatives on the Board

■Or.- Ryder: The people. 'The Ckafrman: If that is the position, you don’t want to be represented oil this deputation. If the deputation is going to raise the question of a different system of levying, then probably you will want to be represented, but I don’t think that that is the idea The idea is that they will suggest to the Prime Minister the altering of the method of constituting the Hospital Board. » Personally I think that the people should have the right to elect the representatives. I represent to-day three boroughs. If you are going to give the local bodies the right to appoint the representatives, is each of the local bodies going to appoint a representative irrespective of the size of the borough If that Were done and all the local bodies’ had representation on the same basis, it would' mean -that you would probably have 25 members seated round that table. I think the Board is too big now. If you did not do that, 'the three Borough -Councils would have to meet and nominate a man. Is it not better to have him elected at the annual electiop? I am not arguing that way because I represent those boroughs, but because 1 cannot see any other way in whicte it could be done.

On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Cf. Ryder, the letter was received.