THE HOSPITAL SHIPS STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 80, 2 October 1915, Page 6

THE HOSPITAL SHIPS STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR

In order to clear away any misapprehension on the part of the public with reference to the equipment of the New Zealand hospital ships Maheno and Marama, His Excellency the Governor accorded an interview to The Post today. It was gathered that His' Excellency defines as equipment of the ships such articles as bedding, night clothes, towels, rugs, hot-water bottles, and so on — a long list of' which has already appeared. Fittings he considers should be laundry plant, -bedsteads, and so on. In short, he takes the hospital ship as an unfurnished house with its usual appurtenances, such as dressers and shelves, and he thinks the public would be pleased to furnish the ships. Of the willingnSsss and cheerfulness of the people in undertaking this work he, has had abundant proof in both money and goods. His Excellency is anxious that there should be no relaxation of effort to supply the articles called for. They will be wanted. As for money, while he would not , refuse any sum, large or small, given for the express purpose of : outfitting the hospital ships, he sees no reason for an appeal to the public for more money for this purpose. From the Maheno fund there was a balance of £535,000. Of this £10,000 was sent to the Mount Felix Hospital, where the money was at the time sorely needed to provide for New Zealand wounded. There was an urgent call, too, from Cairo for £1500, where the wounded were flowing in thick and fast; and £500 was required for Trentham in a time of need for comforts for the sick there. This accounted for £12,000, leaving a balance of £23,000. At a conference held at Government House, at which Government, military, and civic representatives were present (the Mayors of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin representing the public), it was urged that if the £12,000 already referred to could be made good it would place both hospital ships upon a perfectly sound financial basis, providing for the equipment of the new ship, the Marama, and reconditioning both her and the Maheno. This was done in order to avoid making another appeal to the public. "I think we all recognise," His Excellency continued, "that the people had done splendidly, and could be relied upon to do their utmost; but if we could do without appealing to them for money we should not ask them for any more until the need actually arises — and I sincerely hope it will not." The four Mayors agreed to supply from their funds 'the £12,000 already mentioned and apportioned among them the amounts they would be required to furnish. His Excellency received £4000 from Auckland (He quota) yesterday, and has been advised that the Otago £2500 will be forthcoming. With the remaining apportionments in hand there will be sufficient to do all that is required. There was £8000 in hand for reconditioning, both ships, which with the Auckland and Otago quotas totalled £14,500. The balance of the quotas — the money was in sight would bring the total sum up to £20,000, -which should be sufficient in money without appealing to the people for more. When the means in sight are exhausted would be the time to do that. Bui for the £12,000 already disposed of, and before a second hospital ship was thought necessary His Excellency said he would not have required another penny.