"HAND IN GLOVE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 33, 9 February 1939, Page 20

"HAND IN GLOVE."

MINISTER AND BOARD.

MR. C.riXIVKN-S ALLEGATION.

"T am definitely of the opinion, and T don't want to hide it. that the Ministor of Health is hand in -love with tlm chairman" and members of the Hospital Hoard, and wants thorn to «,, on with this Jmjrp expenditure." said tlio Mayor. Mr. .John iluiniven. when the Auckland Hospital building scheme A\as di«eiiKs<.d at a mooting of tlie Taknjmna Borough Council last night. -After a fairly Ion? discussion, the council, in a resolution moved by Mr. 0. H. M. Will*, expressed concern at a statement by tlie chairman of the hoard. Mr. Allan .T. Moody, tlint the board proposed to so ahead with its building programme irrespective of the wishes of the loeal Undies eoneerned for a i"onferenoe. and that he did not propose to wait for any commission or conference. The council decided to ask the Minister, the Hon. V. Fra.ser. for a definite statement as to when the desired conference would he held, and as to the scope and agenda of the conference and the way in which such a large building scheme was (~ |,c financed. Mr. tJuiniveu said it seemed to him that liy the time the Minister did call a conference everything would Ik> settled and the oont rilml in? local bodies would have to face the music. "T flunk the council would Ih\ well advised to write and tell Mr. Frascr that we deplore tlie delay in calling the conference, and tliat we understand he has quite recently approved some of the. plan*, which means that we. have already lieen committed to expense." Mr. Oitiniven added. "We should ask that before any further commitments are incurred a conference should be called." Tlie resolution was then moved and carried.