CONFERENCE NOT DESIRED.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20428, 24 December 1931, Page 7

CONFERENCE NOT DESIRED.

HOSPITAL BOARD'S DECISION. TERMED A "GLORIFIED PICNIC." For reasons of economy the North Canterbury Hospital Board decided yesterday to send to all other Boards it? opinion that the general conference of the Hospital Boards' Association, set down for February 3rd, at Timaru, should not be held, with, the qualification, however, that should the conference be decided upon the Board should bo represented. Mr 11. 11. Holland, chairman of the Hospital Committee, moved that the executive of the Association should be asked to carry on the work of the Association for the .ensuing year, and that no conference be held. An important part of the executive's work, lie said, was in regard to securing legislation compelling the insurance money paid out on accident cases to be paid directly to the Hospital Boards, and not to the individual. The work should not be interrupted. Question of Expense. Mr A. T. Smith seconded the motion, stating that the expenses would amount, to £6OO or £7OO. "My experience is that most conferences are glorified picnics," said Mr Smith. "Last year we sent three members of the Board to the conference, and we also 'had four responsible officers present. Three members spoke, an<l only said aye or no. It cost the Board £lO to scit>l me to the conference to move a motion. I moved it, and was told that the matter was well in hand. We should be very strong on this point." Mr F, lloirell: It would be a waste of money to hold a corfferenco early next year. If we can save a fe\. pounds by abandoning the conference we should do so. I really don't know that the Association has been any good at all. Representation Urged. .Mr J. lv. Archer: If the conference is held as near as Timaru we should be represented, as we are one of the most important Boards. If some of the members, sent to the conference last year did not open, their mouths the Board could send better delegates. The instance negotiations require careful watching. It is quite right that the Boards should get a reasonable allowance from the money paid to persons treated for accident injuries. At the same time no one would like to see a person deprived of compensation. Mr li. B. Evans said that the Board did not claim anything if hardship was involved. \ "Much Work Done." \The chairman (Mr' H. J. Otley): Mr Smith says that conferences are 'glorified picnics." As a matter of fact a great deal of hard work was done at the last conference while one of our members was galloping all over the North Island. It is wrong to make light of the conference work. Mr Smith: The others were in bed! Mr Otley: We all wish to save money. Mr L. B. Evans: If a conference would result in a saving of more than the £6OO or £7OO mentioned ajf the amount of expenses,;it should.tfbe.^fo,ld. Mr Otley: I am of an open, mxita on the matter, and it is really a question for the individual Boards. ■ The motion was carried unanimously, and.it was decided to send a'copy to all other "Boards. The chairman, Mrs T. Green, and Mr I*. B. Evans were appointed to attend in the event of a conference being held.