Hospital Board's Bill for Charity

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 50, 21 May 1927, Page 1

Hospital Board's Bill for Charity

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PRIME MINISTER APPROACHED A deputation from the Auckland x Hospital Board last evening asked the Prime Minister, the Hon. J. G. Coates, if the Government would this year make a grant to help it deal with poverty and hardship caused by the wave of unemployment. Mr. E. H. Potter said the board had spent £6,000* above its estimates in this direction last year, and of this the Government refunded only £ 1,800. They expected another period of severe demand this winter. The board wanted a refund of a further £ 1,908, and an arrangement for assistance in dealing with this winter's relief. The Prime Minister said it was a subject he would have to discuss with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Finance.

Mr. Potter explained that the demand in the past month had cost the board about £ 1,000 more than for the same period last year. He estimated the extra cost this winter would be £IO,OOO. Mr. John Rowe made the suggestion that a lottery, in which Governmend bonds should be the prizes, should be run for the benefit of the unemployed. Mr. Coates: That is the lottery principle again. People are rather sick of it now.

Mr. G. Knight condemned the immigration system, which had largely been responsible for the unemployment. He believed some scheme to assist all the unemployed should be found.

Mr. Coates said he would discuss with his Ministers the points raised.