H.—22a

2

the money. Thus one of the chief grievances on the part of the latter against the separateinstitution system is to some extent removed. Nevertheless the system is a bad one. There seems no special reason to retain separate institutions except those that can carry on their existence with out coming on the rates, as was intended when the Acts of 1885 and 1886 were framed. It was naturally to be expected that all the delegates of: separate institutions would support this contention, but it is significant that the two largest benevolent institutions in the Dominion—viz., the Wellington Benevolent and the Otago Benevolent —both separate institutions—voted for an alternative proposal—lost on the votes —to the effect that " the Boards which find the money for charitable aid .should have entire control of the expenditure." Departmental Control. —ln the face of the remits on the subject it was anticipated that the Conference would strenuously oppose anything in the nature of departmental control, special .exception being taken to clauses 21 and 23 of the Bill, relating respectively to extensions and new buildings and the appointment of medical superintendents and matrons. Finally, however, the Conference agreed to submit suggested appointments to the Minister in charge of the Department twenty-one days before the appointments were to ba made. This could give the Minister an opportunity of letting the Board know if in his opinion such an appointment was undesirable. It was also agreed that plans of extensions or alterations of buildings likely to cost over £100 were to be first submitted for Ministerial approval. A suggestion that Government nominees were to be appointed to every Board was lost on the voices. <:-.-: Reduction of Subsidies. —The clauses in the Bill relating to the gradual reduction of the subsidies did not meet with any support, although it was indicated that such reduction was very properly aimed at the expenditure on outdoor relief rather than at the expenditure on hospitals and charitable institutions. Nevertheless no effectual reduction will be made in the expenditure on outdoor relief until the whole cost is borne by local taxation. Representation of Honorary Medical Staff on Boards. —As regards the many excellent recommendations by the Conference on minor matters, particular notice may be drawn to the fact that by 27 votes to 16 the Conference was of opinion that the honorary medical staff of our larger hospitals should be represented on the District Boards. I have, Ac, T H. A. Valintine, Inspector-General, The Hon. the Minister for Hospitals and Charitable Aid.

SCHEDULE OF RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY THE CONFERENCE.

Short Title. 1. That the Act come into operation on the Ist day of April, 1909. Not more than One Board in each District. 2. That the functions of hospitals and charitable aid should be administered by one Board, Inclusion of Town Districts. 3. That the words "and town districts" be inserted after the word "borough '•' in the first line of clause 4, subsection (I). Representation on District Board. 4. That the present mode of representation is the most equitable to all contributory authorities, and it be a recommendation that clause 6 of the amending Act of 1886 be a clause in the amending Bill. 5. That the present basis of apportionment of representation be adopted, Continuity of Office. 6. That continuity of office be secured for three years. Voluntary Contributors to be represented on Board. 7. That voluntary contributors be allowed to elect a member of the Board. Honorary Medical Staff to be represented on Board. 8. That in any base hospital where there is an honorary medical staff of not less than six members they shall annually elect one of their number to represent them on the Hospital Board, and he shall be an ex officio member thereof. i;