MINISTERIAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 11, 13 June 1913, Page 4

MINISTERIAL

HON. R. HEATON-RHODBS IN NEW PLYMOUTH. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID. Representatives of Now Plymouth, local bodies were not slow in bringing under the notice of the Minister in charge of Hospitals and Charitable Aid (Hon. R. H. Rhodes) the extraordinary position which has arisen with regard to the proposed new hospital, His Worship tha Mayor (Mr. G. W. Browne) and the Chairman of the New Plymouth Hospital and Charitable Aid Board (Mr. F. C. Bellringer) interviewing the Minister last night. They explained' that the New Plymouth Hospital Board had been forced bv the Government to undertake the building of a new hospital, had gone to great expense in removing the Old People's Home, levelling the site, and purchasing plans, only to find that the various contributing' bodies, which had to find the funds, were refused grants from the New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Department. This refusal had found them quite unprepared, for they had the assurance of the former Minister for Public Health (Mr. G. W. Russell) that the Government. would find the £1(5,500 at £4 17s Cd, liquidating itself in a curtain number of years. Local bodies could not raise the money- as a flat mortgage, and they asked that the Minister should consult his colleagues with the view to bringing down, legislation in the coming session, to make it possible for the New Zealand State Guaranteed Advances Department to meet tho position of local bodies, with regard to hospital levies for capital expenditure. Replying to the deputation, the Hon. Mr. Rhodes pointed out that very tyrgesums of money had been granted to wealthy local authorities, when it was really required for those who were not so well off. Tu face of the legislation passed last year, he could not see his way to undertake to carry out such a project as the deputation had asked. With reference to the promise of a former Minister, he would look into the matter, and see if any record of that promise was to be found in the files. The deputation then thanked the Minister for his courtesy, and withdrew.