MINISTER AND HOSPITAL BOARD

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 55, 29 November 1937, Page 10

MINISTER AND HOSPITAL BOARD

Jt was complained by several members of the Wellington Hospita, Board on Thursday last that the action of the Minister of Health in publishing a statement concerning overcrowding at the Wellington Hospital amounted to political propaganda. Mr. Fraser’s intervention in the domestic affairs of the board was clearly designed to support the Labour majority on the board in its decision to proceed with its extravagant building programme. r The Local Government Loans Board authorised a loan ot £UUU,UUU for certain additions to the hospital accommodation and the improvement of its facilities. On top of this the board has decided to apply for a further £159,250. The contributory local bodies and their ratepayers, who will bear most of the expense, have recognised that some extension of hospital facilities is needed. At the same tune strong exception is taken to the board’s latest proposal as being uneconomic and extravagant. The Minister of Health told the public nothing new when he rushed to the defence of the majority members of the board with his remarks on overcrowded conditions. That there is overcrowding is recognised. But nothing the Minister has said has furnished sufficient argument in support of the board's P ro P°J. al to enlarge the expenditure beyond the needs of the case. All he did was to give official sanction to the expenditure of a great deal more money than the local bodies consider to be justified. Mr. Fraser would have served Wellington better by investigating the constructive suggestions of those who have put forward alternative schemes to meet the demands for additional accommodation on a more reasonable basis of expenditure. The Hospital Board, for its part, would be wise in time to take due note of the opposition this proposed expenditure has raised. There is to be an indignation meeting o , ratepayers this evening, convened by the Wellington. Ratepayers Association, when the proposal will be discussed. It is significant of the feeling of contributory local bodies on the subject that the mayor of Wellington, the mayor of Lower Hutt, and the chairman of the Makara County Council have associated themselves with the meeting.