THE HOSPITALS

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 100, 28 April 1921, Page 9

THE HOSPITALS

SITTINGS OF COMMISSION AT DUNEDIN

(IT HUMUra.—CM IS MSOCUTIUir.)

DUNEDIN, 27th A<prH. The Hospitals Commission resumed its

sittings this morning.

Evidence was given by R. A. Rodgers (Tuapeka County), who thought that the present system of levies and subsidies providing for maintenance was inequitable. Levies were made on wealth as disclosed in the valuation roll, when a ratepayer might only be a tenant and only nominally an owner. Wealth could not be fairly estimated from the valuation rolls, and the only way to attack the real owner of wealth was through the channels of the land and income tax. He thought boards with base hospitals should receive greater consideration in subsidies than boards who depended on the special departments in base hospitals in another district." The most equitable solution of the whole question of -hospital administration waa the nationalisation of the Public Health Department in all its branches. He did not think nationalisation would affect the administration, and was satisfied that there would be no trouble in getting qualified amd experienced men and women, who would be only too willing to continue the work now done so freely and welL He favoured a system, of differential rating for contributing local bodies, so that they would be levied pro rata according to benefits received. John Howat, secretary of the Tapanui Farmers' Union, forwarded; a statement, in which he characterised as unfair a system that compelled contributing local bodies to provide for capital expenditure out of levies made in the year that the expenditure was incurred. The Otago Medical School was a national institution, and quite unfairly its equipment and upkeep had been borne by Otago ratepayers. Respecting accommodation for consumptives, this should be provided by the Siate.

Edward Laley, a member of the Wai* kouaiti County Council, thought the Government should admiiu'stef the hospitals in the same way as is done with mental hospitals. He thought each local body should have charge xof charitableaid administration within its own, boundaries.

Dr. Falconer, medical superintendent of Dunedin Hospital, advocated a direct Government subsidy for the fonr main hospitals, so that they would be adequately administered. Asked what, he thought of the proposal to establish paying or private wards in public hospitals, the witness said he thought that system had to come, but so far as Dunedin was concerned it would be difficult to apportion space for the erection ojLsuch wards. They had a scheme providing- for about 500 beds, but no provision was made in the plan, for any private wards. In reply to Mr. Triggs, wifaess said he was still firmly of the opinion that qualified dietitians should be appointed at hospitals. Hospitals dietitians could be trained at the Domestic Science School.

Dr. L. E. Barnett, co>-optative member of the. Hospital Committee of the Otago Hospital Board, emphasised' the importance of the Medical School ,to the Dominion as a whole. There were now 350 or more students at the school, and in their.third, fourth, and fifth years clmicai study at the hospital was essential.

The Comnrissiott atfjonraed till to morrow,