LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13597, 4 December 1909, Page 9

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Friday, December 3

AFTERNOON SITTING The Council met at 2.30 p.m.

IMPREST SUPPLY. An Imprest Supply Bill was P ai through ell its stages.

HOSPITALS AND CHMUTABLE INSTITUTIONS.

The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill was recommitted. Clause 72, which provides that Boards may make an agreement tor special terms as to the maintenance iv hospitals of members of friendly societies, was reconsidered.

Tho Hon. W. E. COLLINS took, strong exception to the clause, which he said should not have been introduced into the Bill. The honorary medical statf were always willing to give their services for the rciief of tho sick, but they did not want to see the hospitals mado institutions for any special class. Ho pointed out that the medical profession had not bad an opportunity of considering tho clause, which was one that was likely to uisorganise the institutions.

The Hon. G. J. SMITH said he thought that if the friendly societies wanted special advantages, the question oufjht to bo dealt with in a separate Bill, and not in a general measure of this kind* Ho held that the members of tho medical profession ami , of tho friendly societies should endeavour to come to some understanding on tho matter.

The Hon. J. McGOWAN said he hoped the Council would not destroy a good Bill by introducing such a clause as this one into it. The clause would mean the foisting of chronic cases belonging to friendly societies on to hospital ami charitable institutions.

Tho Hon. Dr. FINDLAY said that no body of men had l shown such sturdy independence as tho friendly societies, end the clause was not intended to offer them better conditions, but to place in the coffers of the country larger sums than ut present. At jprosent more than one-third of the members of friendly societies in the hospitals paid nothing at ail, being unable to pay, and this clause would procure payment for such patients. If the clause enabled l arrangements to bo made be-tn-een the friendly societies and the Board to rey something for every member in tho hospitals, surely that was it good bargain; it was offering no special advantages at all.

After a lengthy discussion, the Hon. W. E. COLLINS, to test the question, moved to delete the opening words of the clause. On a division, the amendment was carried by 18 votes to 13', and tho clause was struck out.

A new clause was inserted on the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, to the effect that teachers and students of medical schools shall be _ntitled to access to the institutions under the control of the Boards. The Bill was read a third time and passed. The Council rose at 5 p.m.