CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1921, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

HOSPITAL MATTERS &. THE COMMISSION. (To the Editor.) Sir. —In Saturday’s issue you report Mr. Fraser as saying before the Royal Commission that the Taranaki Hospital Board had to pay the whole of the cost of the Old People’s Home. Surely he is mis-reported. The Stratford and Hawera boards pay the costs of*their patients In that institution, and are not asking the Taranaki Board to foot the bill for them. The department, in spite of the very adverse criticism that took place at the last conference, again introduced the question of private wards. The hospital boards of the Dominion must only recognise one thing; that is, that the very best treatment must be given to any sick person, and they cannot recognise cred, color, or caste. The poorest person in the Dominion must receive exactly tte same treatment as the richest in worldly goods, or the highest in the social or political world. The B.M.A. is evidently pulling the wires, and a deliberate attempt is being made to make our democratic institutions one of class distinction. Listen to this: A recent circular from Wellington asks the boards of New Zealand to admit the men and officers of the Admiralty to the hospitals at a flat rate of 30s per week. Very good; but—and this is the trail of the serpent—lt is requested that tte officers shall be provided with a side room or private ward. Fancy the same rate, but different treatment! It may only be a coincidence, but the circular is dated the Ist of April. The people must look after their rights, or they may get left. In conclusion, I should like to warn the public against accepting Dr. Wylie as an authority on economics. The question of grouping New Plymo|uth, Stratford and Hawera Is unthinkable. We are efficient and economic; see «ur rate. For an average of 21 occupied beds it costs 2d per day less at Stratford than ifc does In New Plymouth for administration of the hospital. I trust that the people will continue to have the right to elect the boards, and they should safeguard the State without the State having directly nominated members on the boards. —I am, etc., C. D. SOLE. Stratford, 16th April.