WAIMATE HOSPITAL.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20711, 23 November 1932, Page 10

WAIMATE HOSPITAL.

FATE UNDER NEW BILL CAUSING ALARM. [From Ouk Parliamintaet UkfobterJ. WELLINGTON, November 22. "The people of Waimcite have never been alarmed so much in the last 50 years as the} 7 aro to-day because they fear something may be clone tp imperil the stability of. their hospital," said Mr J. Bitchcner (C„ Waitaki), in the House this afternoon, when discussing the clause in the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Amendment Bill which makes its full provisions apply to the Waimate Hospital. In tho principal Act the administration of this hospital is defined in a special schedule. Mr Bitchener pointed out that the hospital was in an unusual position, since it was given a special schedule in the principal Act. It was a hospital of which the residents had reason to be proud. When tho first hospital was built in the early days the Waimate County Council had established a tino institution. Later it was merged into the South Canterbury district, but some objection was taken to this course as the peoplo of Waimate wanted a district of their own. The people still took tho same kcon interest in the hospital's affairs, and at the moment ho had a sheaf of telegrams protesting against any prejudicial action being taken by the Government. "The peoplo of Waimate have never been alarmed so much in the last 50 years as they are to-day," Mr Bitchener went on. "The Minister says that nothing is intended to be done under tho new Bill, but sometimes the best intentions go astray. I have no reason to doubt the Minister's word, but the peoplo are very much alarmod and are protesting strongly against anything being done to impair the efficiency and stability of the hospital. I only hope the Minister's assurance is correct, and nothing is to be dono to make the fifth schedule of the main Act inoperative."