"BURDEN OF HOSPITAL RATES"

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23330, 16 May 1941, Page 11

"BURDEN OF HOSPITAL RATES"

- "I feel s that th«. ever increasing, burden.of. rates Is becoming too heavy for the ratepayer, that the State, should carry ah Increased proportion of the caste of mathtelplng hospitals.” said Mr W. P. Spencer, Citizens Association candidate for toe North Canterbury : Hospital Hoard. 4 . . Mr Spencer said he Had represented Walmalrt :County and , the Rlccarton Borough on tho Board iOOd* ;When the Hospital* Board, as at present constituted, was formed. He had served.on, various, committees, and during the absence of toe late Mr Otley Overseas, actedas chairman w the board. In the last five years, he had held the chalrmanstop of the public Health Committee, which controlled the sanatorium, fresh air home,-Coro-nation Hospital; and until recently the BUrwood Hospital. “The erection Of a new block for , toe reception of returning soldiers who require sanatorium treatment will be put In hand almost at once, and if returned I shall do an in my power to'.see that our soldiers receive the best possible attention. • ■ • ‘ " “When first elected to the board 1 immediately moved In the direction of se-, curing better, conditions and salaries fer nurses. In this. With toe help of other members, I was successful, and to-day it gives me much pleasure to see how greatly the nurses' lot has changed. Realising the devoted service Which our nurses give, it will be my elm to eee that the standard la maintained. ■ . ■ ' ?• ”1 have advocated, and if returned, will still advocate, that a buyer be appointed to purchase all meat required at the Addington yards, with instructions to obtain toe best stock possible. This, I feel sure. Would not only ensure the highest grade Of meat being supplied, but would, 1 know, be a paying proposition to the board, incidentally,! stand lor the highest standard of «U food supplies foratl institutions administered by vie board. "I have endeavoured consistently to be fair and Just ,to employees, and also to ensure that the administration of the board is conducted in . a businesslike maimer. It will be >my aim to see that adequate hospital facilities for North Canterbury, are provided and efficiently maintained:" ; Mf Spencer paid his record of comprised S3 yeam On. the Hospital Hoard, at years 6n the -Walmalrl County council; 24 Years on to* Canterbury Education Board, and nine years on the canterbury College Council. He had. been a mejnber lineeu. tta ini cepnon. with toc exception of one term, tMttptestnm Waimalrt ontheßelwyn Wantatkm Board for many yearn -0-. ..