HOSPITAL BOARDS' FINANCE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16209, 11 May 1918, Page 12

HOSPITAL BOARDS' FINANCE.

VIEWS OF MINISTER

The Hon. G. "VV. Russell. Minister in charge of Hospitals, in the course of an interview with a representative of "Tho Press" yesterday, said that ho had noted the discussions in different parts of the Dominion—notably in Christchurch and Wellington—regarding the increased levies made on the local contributing bodies by Hospital Boards.

In view of the greater specialisation of medical science and the necessity for public hospitals to adapt themselves to these altered conditions, the Minister said that he was not surprised to find that, speaking generally. hospital expenditure showed a steady and large increase. He was not at all sure that the adoption of the suggestion that if the Hospital Boards rated directly (instead of through the locai bodies) greater economy would be exercised. would effect such a change. He thought that a body which possessed full rating powers was sometimes liable, under the pressure of public opinion—and such opinion in connexion with hospital and charitable aid matters was very great—to levy heavier rates and go in for larger expenditure than it was likely to do when it had responsibilities to the local bodies which collected the rates. Ho did not care to express an opinion as to whether there should be a return to the old system of appointment of Hospital Boards by the members of the contributing locai bodies; but judging by the meagre Interest taken in elections under the new system he did not think that system had been justified. Experts of the department carefully scrutinised tho estimates and expenditure submitted by the Boards with the view yf ensuring efficient administration. As to the suggestion that hospital administration should be nationalised, he could not speak about that at present, and if it came about it would be by the people demanding it at the ballotbox and instructing their representatives accordingly. Nationalisation would involve the disappearance of Hospital Boards, the taking over of administration by a State department with, possibly, local advisory boards. The Minister mentioned that he had under consideration at present two matters connected with hospital finance. The first was tho basis upon which the Government subsidy is granted, and tho . second the laxity shown by some # Boards in the matter of collecting payments due by patients. Legislation on 'these points, if decided upon, would hare to wait, however, till after the war.