NEW ZEALAND LEADS

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 157, 5 July 1937, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND LEADS

HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

COPIED IN AUSTRALIA.

FACILITIES IN THE NORTH.

A tnbute to past legislators who had laid the foundations of the hospital system in New Zealand was paid by the acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. P. Fraser, when on Saturday afternoon he officially opened a new wing of the public hospital at Kawakawa. Mr. Fraser said the hospitals belonged to the people, and although the ir system might not be perfect, and capable of improvement, they had been copied by every State in Australia. They could never have their important health services in New Zealand dependent for support in the way that they were in England. There_ might be a lot to be said in favour of sweepstakes, Mr. Fraser proceeded, but he did not think they should ever have their health services dependent on gambling. In England one saw advertisements calling and pleading for funds to keep some of their great hospitals going. In New Zealand half the responsibility was that of the Government and the other half that of the local bodies. He knew of no better system, and on the whole it had worked admirably. Extensions and modern equipment were inevitable, but they could provide treatment for everyone, and that was something to be proud of.

Base Hospitals. Mr. Eraser said the need of properly equipped base hospitals was imperative and there was also need of co-operation between the hospital boards, It might be necessary to establish one centre as a base hospital in North Auckland and all the boards niight consider sending some cases to Wflangarei. Efforts were •being made by the Government to extend the maternity services in the Dominion. The recent report on abortion, the Minister added, had raised some great issues. It was necessary that motherhood should be made as safe and easy as possible. Some years ago the country had been shocked and Parliament staggered by the incidence of maternal mortality, but since then there had been great improvements and now the death rate was very low. It was nearly the lowest in the world. Proceeding, Mr. Fraser expressed the opinion that they would have to extend the St. Helens Homes and also the maternity services in the country districts. The Government was anxiou3 that the services should be extended to the most remote parts of New Zealand. One difficulty was in obtaining help at the time of maternity and whoever could help with suggestions to extend- the service would be welcome. Unfortunately, there was a falling birth rate. They could supply money to assist the situation, he said, but they could not supply a healthy outlook on life, as that was something moral and spiritual rather than economic. That was one way in which the mothers of the country could give a lead. Mr. Fraser commented on the fine site of the hospital, which was given .by Mr. V. H. Reed, and said that it was not surpassed in New Zealand. Early Hospital History. Mr. C. F. C. Miller, chairman of the Bay of Islands Hospital Board, said that the hospital was opened in 1911 with six patients. Mr. V. H. Reed said that originally the administration was by one board at Whangarei, but eventually four hospital districts were created in the North. The medical superintendent. Dr. G. N. Frengley, stressed the need of increased hospital accommodation in the district.

TbeMinister was welcomed to the district by the chairman of the Bay of Islands County Council, Mr. H. T. Atkinson, and the chairman of the Kawakawa Town Board, Mr. H. M. Cookson.