MAKOGAI LEPERS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 259, 2 August 1928, Page 16

MAKOGAI LEPERS

FINANCING THE STATION NEW- SCHEME PROPOSED Recommendations for a revision of the present financial arrangement relating to the Makogai Leper Asylum (Fiji) were contained in a Parliamentary Paper tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday. These were the result of an investigation into the financial position of the institution by a special committee in January last. A memorandum to.the Acting-Governor of Fiji intimates that the New Zealand .Government con- ■ cur in the, recommendations, and while unable to make any special additional contribution towards capital fund beyond the pro rata contribution decided upon by the committee, they undertake to participate in the scheme for a period of at least twenty years.. The committee recommends: — “That the Leper Asylum at Makogai should in future be regarded as an institution to the working expenses of •which each Administration participating .in the benefits of the asylum will contribute proportionately and on a basis of the number of its leper units. That interest at the rate of 5 per cent, on the ,to tai capital expenditure of the institution, be charged to working expenses, each Administration receiving credit iu its account for interest at the above rate on the amount, of capital subscribed by it. That the cost,per unit shall be computed at the end of each year and shall be regarded as the rate to be charged to each Administration in respect of the succeeding : ye'ar. For this purpose a native of the Pacific islands will be regarded as one unit, a Chinese as one and a half units, a European, Maori or a half;easte of European standard as two units. ' •'

“That the annual statement of account upon which the computation will be,made will comprise: (a) The actual cost of maintenance of the institution, including salaries, provisions, stores, drugs, instruments, provisions, equipment, etc.: (b) the actual cost of maintenance of plant, buildings and other work; (c) a charge at the rate of £5OO per annum for administration and supervision by the Medical and Public Works Departments, Fiji. This charge to be reviewed at the end of five years; (d), a charge at the rate of £6OO per annum for leave, pensions, etc., granted to the staff:, (e) insurance charges on buildings and plant; (f) interest at the rate of 5 per cent, on the original pur-chase-price of the island and the value nf all buildings and plant as estimated at'January 31; 1928, together with interest at the same rate on the cost of any future capital expenditure; (g) annual contribution of 3 per cent, on the value of all, buildings, plant and works as estimated at January 31, 1925. Payments on this account to be made to a separate account, to be known as the ‘Makogai Replacement and Building Fund.’ The question of this charge to be reviewed at the end of five years in the light of the amount of the accumulated fund, at that date. “That a 16an. to be called the ‘Makogai Loan Fund,’ be raised as and when required for the purpose of providing funds for capital works; payment of interest and repayment of principal to be made by equal annual instalments over a period of twenty years. “That the control of the institution shall be vested in the Fiji Government, who will consult the other Administrations concerned before undertaking any important works involving increased capital expenditure or any substantial increase in the working expenses of the institution. “That any outside administration that is not prepared to make a capital- contribution will give an undertaking io participate in the scheme .‘for a period of twenty years. ■ s' “That a junior medical officer be appointed at the earliest possible date to act as assistant to the medical superintendent. <■ “That a proper survey and estimate of the proposed road from Nasau .to Dalice be made as early as possible, and that a refrigerating plant be installed.”