NO WAGE-CUTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1070, 6 September 1930, Page 16

NO WAGE-CUTS

CLOSER BUDGETING FOR STATE HOSPITALS DIFFERENTIAL FEES IRE St'.V'S Parliamentary Reporter WELLINGTON, Friday.

A denial that the staffs of various State hospital institutions were being retrenched in the Government’s economy' drive, or that salaries were being lowered, was made in the House of Representatives today by the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, during the discussion on the Health Department estimates. He also said, in answer to Labour criticism concerning differential fees at the Hanmer Hospital, that the system had been In vogue since the founding of the hospital. Mr. M. J. Savage (Labour —Auckland West) drew attention to the difference in the vote for the Hanmer Hospital and others this year, and said that this year the vote for wages was £15,000, whereas last year expenditure had been £15,209. Did that mean there had been a reduction in wages or had anyone been put off? It was the same with other hospitals. Mr. Savage wanted a definite assurance on that point. He also asked who was responsible for the differential scale of fees at Hanmer. It seemed to hint that tbe patient who had the biggest banking account got the best accommodation, although that patient might not be so much entitled to the accontmodaion as others from the health point of view. Such institutions as Hanmer were a social responsibility, and there should be no differential treatment at all. He did not like differential rates in Government institutions. Mr. E. J. Howard (Labour —Christchurch South): Especially hospitals. Mr. Savage said that he would like the Minister to say that the question of differential fees would have his most serious consideration.

Replying to the first question, the Minister said that the difference in the wages amounts were only an in dication of closer budget. No persoft’s salary was affected, and there were no retrenchments; in addition, there would be no loss in efficiency.

Regarding the second point, he said he was informed by the Director general of Health that the system had been in use since the foundation of the hospital. Already the cash loss on the hospital was more than £15,000 yearly, and there was no differentiation to patients in the way of nursing or medical attention. The only differentiation occurred when a patient asked for an extra room. If that room were available and the patient able to pay for it. what objection could there be?

Mr. Savage: That is the point. There is the differential treatment. Mr. Howard: How much do you charge for a wing? The Minister said that the only alternative was to raise the minimum fee. Without the differential fee the loss would be doubled.