CHARITABLE AID CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9868, 21 October 1897, Page 3

CHARITABLE AID CONFERENCE.

[press association telegram.] WELLINGTON, October 20.

The Charitable Aid Conference passed resolutions in favour of the establishment of industrial farms, and that the Government should assist also a Colonial for Imbeciles and others not fit for the Lunatic Asylums. It was mentioned that the Lyttelton Orphanage building, now vacant might be used for. the purpose. Th establishment of an Inebriates' Home was partly approved. Mr O'Regan alluded to the overcrowding in cities, and wanted to call the attention of the Government to it, but the members thought that the subject was outside the scope of the Conference, and more properly a matter for the municipal authorities. The Conference expressed itself in favour of improving the intercolonial legislation respecting deserters, and amending the law to enable a man to be punished in whatever part of the colony he is captured, without bringing him to the town of his residence, and also amending the existing law of the liability of fathers of illegitimate children. Mr Bollard moved that the Government subsidies to the hospitals should be £ for £ upon the amount of fees recovered from patients. The motion was lost.

This afternoon the question of substituting the control of Hospitals by district Boards for separate trustees was introduced. Mr Talbot (Timaru) moved that the trustees of separate institutions (Hospitals) be required to furnish to the district Boards, when making their annual demands for maintenance, returns .showing details of their expenditure. Mr MeWhirfcer (Westland) moved an amendment in favour of the abolition of all separate institutions relating both to Hospitals and Charitable Aid, so that the whole control should be left to district Boards. Dr. McGregor pointed out the abuse which arose from the creation of 30 many separate institution*. After considerable discussion Mr McYVhirter's amendment was carried.. Mr Roche (Southland) moved— '■" That it is desirable that local bodies should be partially represented by women on Charitable Aid Boards/ The motion was negatived. A suggestion, which appeared on the Order Paper, that consideration should be given to the question of providing a training ship for the colony was struck out, a3 being outside the province of the Conference. A Committee was set up to consider the question of reforms raqnired in the method of outdoor relief and submit a report to the Conference. The Coofeftntt adjourned till next day,