THE HOSPITAL BURDEN.

Shannon News, 11 June 1929, Page 4

THE HOSPITAL BURDEN.

CONFERENCE OF CONTRIBUTING AUTHORITIES.

HOROWIIENUA COUNTY TO BE REPRESENTED.

An invitation was received by the Horowher.ua County Council on Saturday to send representatives to the conference which the Kairanga County Council is calling, of local bodies contributing to*the Palmerston North Hospital Board, the object of the conference being to bring pressure to bear on the Government to increase its subsidies to hospitals. “I don’t know how far a conference like this is likely to get,” said the County Chairman (Mr G. A. Monk). ‘‘We have discussed this aspect of the matter several times at this table. Now there is an opportunity apart from what is being done by the Counties Association. There will be a comprehensive representation of Borough and County Councils as contributing authorities. and I think it would be advisable that we be represented. If the Kairanga County Council can solve this question and make it more equitable and lessen ihc burden on local bodies, it will be heartily welcomed.” 1-Ie moved that this Council be rcpi-e-* sented at the conference.

Cr. Jensen suggested that the chairman represent the Council. Th Chairman pointed out that ho was the Levin Borough representative on the Board, but he was quite willing to attend the conference. He would like at least one other member of the Council with him, and he suggested that Cr. Gimblett be added.

Cr. Gimblett: I would be pleased, but it is very difficult to express aii opinion straight out as to what we are going to do. I think it is only with the assistance of men like the jhairman, and with a.thorough, discussion, that we are going .to get anywhere to settle it. Cr. .Gimblett went on to refer to different schemes that had been propounded to supersede the present system of hospital representation. One proposal, which ha(d emanated > from the Waikanac branch of the Fanners’ Union, was for a State lottery. Another was in favour of taxing on a population basis as well as on property. Still another proposal was to throw more of the burden on to the State. The question was whether the State was not going to control hospitals altogether. The discussion would be of great educational value, and he would be very pleased to represent the County. The motion was enlarged to provide that the representatives be the chairman and Cr. Gimblett, and;, having been seconded by Cr. Ryder, was carried.