HOSPITAL SUBSIDIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 25, 29 January 1921, Page 6

HOSPITAL SUBSIDIES.

TO BE CONSIDERED BT COMMISSION. THE ORDER OF REFERENCE. With reference to the commission which is to take evidence on the question of subsidies and other matters of public hospital administration the following letter was read at a meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board from the Director-General of Health (Dr. T. H. A. Valintine): — "The Department is asking the boards of the four chief centres and also the Westland Board (the West Coast being badly served as regards the present rate of subsidies), each to send a delegate to express their views upon the subsidy proposals. The Department is also asking the Waikato and Palmerston North boards each to send a delegate, as these boards receive a low rate of subsidy under the proposed scheme. It is felt "that this will enable the views of all concerned to be thoroughly ventilated, but should your board desire to send a representative to give evidence I should be glad if you would let mc know, and I will convey your desire to the chairman of the commission. __ The order of reference to the commission is as follows: — '•(1) The extent to which the Government should contribute towards the capital requirements of hospital boards, and the basis upon which 3uch contributions should be given. "(2) (a) The extent to which the Government should contribute towards the net maintenance requirements of hospital boards in the Dominion; (b) the basis of allocation of any such contribution amongst the individual boards. "(3) The extent to which the Government should continue to subsidise voluntary contributions. "(4) The extent to which the Government should contribute towards the funds of separate institutions under the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act. "(5) The extent to which the Government should make grants in aid of various charitable societies and institutions. "(C) The fees that should be charged for maintenance and treatment in public hospitals. "(7) The present method of allocation of representation of contributory local authorities and the ratepayers on hospital boards, having regard also to the nr.ture of the suffrage. "(8) The desirability, or otherwise, of providing for Government representation upon hospital boards by means of nominated members. "(9) The constitution and area of the present hospital districts, and whether the present grouping of local authorities in the various districts is the best and fairest method of distributing the cost of the base hospitals throughout the Dominion amongst the various local authorities. "(10) Generally, as to any matters in connection with hospitals or charitable aid which may bs referred to it by the Hon. the Minister of Health." The chairman (Mr. E. Castle) and the secretary (Mr. J. Coyle) were delegated to represent the board, and the Finance Committee was deputed to go through the order of reference of the commission, and if necessary to convene a special meeting of the board to consider the proposals.