AUCKLAND VIEW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 14

AUCKLAND VIEW.

"MORE IN THE DARK THAN : EVER." QUESTION OF FINANCE I " We are more in the dark than ever," said the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, Mr. Allan J. Moody, in commenting this morning on the announcement by the Minister of Health* the Hon. P. Fraser, that it would not be possible for the Government health scheme to come into operation on April 1.

"Mr. Moody added that the whole'matter was a (serious one for the hospital boards of New Zealand, and he expected that it would be fully discussed at the New Zealand hospital boards' conference, which would open at New Plymouth next Tuesday. That conference, said Mr. Moody, would be attended by himself and other representatives of the Auckland board. Air. Fraser would be present, and it was expected that the conference would receive full information in regard to the Government's intentions.

y Commenting on the question of fees incurred by hospital patients, Mr. Moody said that they had to be paid in full. Some patients had been holding back since the Government plan was mooted, but as far as the' board was concerned, there could be no remission in tho cases of people able to pay. , Mr. Moody said that hospital boards could not budget until they knew where they stood. The contribution by the State had not yet been decided. At first six shillings a dayvper patient was suggested, and then came another suggestion that the amount should be xeight shillings a day. That was one of the most important points as far as hospital boards were concerned, and a clarifying and authoritative statement was awaited.