DISCOURAGING PRIVATE HELP

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 145, 20 June 1924, Page 6

DISCOURAGING PRIVATE HELP

The Governments has taken a long time to consider the application for a subsidy on the Radium Fund; and the result of its .consideration is at best a quibbling reply. The Minister of Health has referred the Hospital Board to that section of the Hospital and Charitable Institutions Act which makes the payment of a subsidy dependent upon Government approval of the purpose for which the fund was raised. If will be news to many people that, the promoters of the 'fund were warned of this provision when subscriptions were first invited.

Sir Francis Bell fit is stated) warned the promoters that their statement that a Government subsidy of £1 for £1 would necessarily be payable was incorrect; and that it. would be necessary for them to satisfy the Government that further, provision by way of Government subsidy was required in addition to the sum subscribed.

H such a warning were definitely and clearly given, why was the fact not made public1? Contributors were -assured that their donations would carry a Government subsidy of at least £l for £1, if no fc. at the higher rate of 24s'ruling until. Ist April, 1924. The .appeal ywas not made secretly and in a corner. It was broadcast throughout the province,, and was a subject of public discussion for weeks. -IE the Government had reason to bejieve that jt was being made on a false basis, that contributions were being obtained by means of promises which could not be kept, then it was plainly the duty ,of the Government to intervene. Certainly this was not a statutory obligation, but it was an obligation which men holding high public office should have felt bound to carry out.

There was no such public intervention, and the sum aimed at was obtained. Now, after months 'of delay, the Government proposes to investigate the purpose and sufficiency of the fund, and to consider the claim, not for 24s subsidy, but ?.or such a subsidy not exceeding .£] for £i. The Minister's excuse for this conduct is a poor one.

The Wellington Hospital Board will readily see, he-states, that it is manifestly impossible to admit the proposition that a number of subscribers may create a fund of any amount they choose, for a.specific purpose, and then for a responsible body, disregard ing the conditions imposed by the Statute, to demand from tlio Shite the provision of an equivalent sum.

There is no possibility of subscribers imposing an obligation on the State in the -way that is here suggested, lor the simple reason that until,a contribution is accepted by

the Hospital Board there can be no claim for a subsidy. The Wellington Hospital Board is not an irresponsible body. It does not accept contributions for specific purposes without approving those purposes, and approving them upon expert advice. Its decision to accept the Radium Fund and establish an Institute was made upon the advice of its Medical Superintendent, supported by the opinion of the British Medical Association and experts from, other centres. The. Minister -is only trifling with the Board when he states so transparent an objection as an excuse lor delay. Indeed, the, whole letter is such that the public will ask, and with reason: ""What is behind it all 1" And this comes from a Minister of Health whose chief officer recently advised the Welfcngton Hospital Board to provide for some of its work by voluntary contributions.. The Minister is probably acting ( within the letter of the'law, but he- cannot plead that lis conduct accords with its spirit.