ST. HELENS HOMES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 88, 15 April 1931, Page 5

ST. HELENS HOMES.

THE INCREASED CHARGES. EFFECT ON WORKING CLASSES REASONS FOR REVISION. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The question of the increased charges for St. Helens Hospital patients wal raised in the House to-day by Mr. P 4 Fraser (Lab., Wellington Central), wh# asked the Minister of Health whether he thought working-class mothers, in view of the wage reductions, could afford the additional cost. Mr. Fraser inquired also whether the Minister proposed to instruct the Department to make any alternative provision for those who, through increased charges, could not obtain St. Helens accommodation. The Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, Minister of Health, replied that the general economic position had made a review of the conditions of that social service necessary. Concerning the question of wages reductions it was believed that the "cuts" Would be balanced by a concomitant reduction in the cost of living. (Labour laughter.) Mr. E. McKeen (Lab. , Wellington South): Eyewash I The Minister: In regard to the charges at St. Helens— Mr. E. J. Howard (Lab., Christchurch South): Charges to be born! The Minister said that the wife of a man drawing £7 a week could enter the home at a cost of £3 for the period of attention, but on investigation of the position it had been found that many who had been well able to pay for services in other institutions,. at a higher scale of fees, had taken advantage of the St. Helens homes, to the exclusion of people in less fortunate circumstances. Some adjustment, therefore, had had to be made. Although the charges had been raised, the House had to bear in mind that the fees chargeable were not always paid by the patients, and that there was quite a considerable debit against the Department on that account. Last year the cash loss had been £31,000 and even greater the previous year. The Minister contended that the new rates would not make it any more difficult for those who had nowhere else to go, and assured the House that every case of hardship and necessity would be met by the Department. There need be no fear that anyone would not receive assistance under the altered scale of fees.