MEETING COSTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 161, 9 July 1940, Page 11

MEETING COSTS.

SOLDIER PATIENTS.

GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS.

ERECTION OF BUILDINGS.

Steps to be taken for the accommodation <jf returning sick and wounded soldiers were referred to in a letter which the Auckland Hospital ' Board received at a meeting last evening from the Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt. He said that to the extent that additional buildings and equipment could ulthnately be use-i for eivil patients, the capital expenditure was a proper and fair charge on the ordinary funds of the board, Lut beyond that special assistance out of Government funds was called for. As, however, the urgency of the preeent situation presented difficulties, the Government had decided on the following arrangements: That the capital cost of buildings should be borne in the first plane by the Government; that after plans had been approved, the work should be undertaken by the Public Work* Department, or under its supervision; that if at any time the Government determined that the buildings are to be used for civil purposes, the Government may require the board to reimburse the Government in respect to expenditure, according to valuation at the time; that the board be permitted to spread reimbursement over a period, not exceeding twenty years, but to pay interest on then current rates on unpaid accounts; and that expenditure on general furnishings and equipment should be met by the board in the first place, aud additional equipment, specially required for soldier cases, to 'be undertaken out of Government funds.

The chairman, Mr. Allan J. Moody, eaid the matter would be discussed at a conference of chairmen of hospital boards with the Health Department.