CANDIDATES' POINTS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 85, 10 April 1935, Page 13

CANDIDATES' POINTS

HOW THE MONEY GOES

"We have heard a lot about rates," said Councillor T. Forsyth. "Let me tell'yoil vyhere the money goes. The figures are big, but the City's operations are big." He then gave the following weekly expenditures upon, essential services directed to the maintenance of the City's health and comfort: Waterworks, £700; drainage, £370; street works, £770; scavenging and street watering, £275; refuse collection and disposal, £440; public conveniences and sanitation, £80; reserves, £610; fire protection, £270; street lighting and traffic, £260; libraries, £200; hospital and charitable aid, £1100 to £1200; sinking fund and interest outgoings, £5000. ' During the past two and a half years, said Councillor Forsyth, the council had sealed or paved 160 streets and had carried out many, useful road improvements, had kerbed and channelled many miles of footpaths, and had attended to1 a great aggregate length of footways in varioui parts of the City. "Although the figures are not out yet and so cannot be made public," said Councillor Forsyth. "I think that I can go as far as saying that this year we have again squared all accounts and have something over to spare." AN AERODROME FOR WELLINGTON. Councillor Appleton was to be commended for his action in bringing forward the question of an adequate airport for Wellington, said Mr. R, L. Macalister, who is standing as a candidate for the City Council. "I, too, am one who believes that Wellington must maintain its prestige, in the air, as in all things, as the Capital City of the Dominion," he continued. "We cannot lag behind other centres. We should wake up and see that our airport is made big enough to meet all the needs of the future. There will, of course, be improvements in the design of machines in the future, but we must face the situation as It is today and see to it that the airport can meet all needs." The enlargement and improvement of the aerodrome was a work which could very largely be carried out by unskilled labour and it was a work which he would certainly support were he returned as a city councillor, Mr. Macalister said that he heartily supported the proposal for the building of a new Central Library, for the present building was altogether inadequate to the City's needs and was, moreover, to such a state that it would be unsafe in the event of earthquake of any intensity. The Chief Librarian, a most efficient officer, had just returned from an extended trip abroad, during the course of which he had inquired into modern library developments, and the time was, moreover, propitious for the erection of a library at a low building cost. He also urged support for the baths loan proposal, saying that the City wan really Jn a worse position as regarded baths provision than it was 20 years ago when the' population was much smaller. PAY FOR NURSES. Mrs. Marshall Mac Donald, who has had wide experience of hospital work, as a nurse and latterly as a member of I the Otago Hospital Board, remarked that frequently the question was asked: Why do hospital boards pay such low; salaries, to nurses.? Hurses,

she said,, were really in the position of apprentices, for whom the boards provided a complete course of training, an extensive library, good housing and living conditions, and properly regulated hours of work and recreation. The board which could ensure to its nurses an eight-hour day, with one day free each week,^ would be well rewarded by the improvement in the health and efficiency of its staff. Mrs. Mac Donald remarked that the appearance of a woman among men candidates on the platform a few years ago would have raised at once the question of women's rights, but today, that had gone for all time. Women could do and had done good work in the service of the community. "I don't promise, if you return me, to attempt great things, but I,do promise to do small things thoroughly and well. I will remember at all times that economy does not consist in saving money, but in spending money wisely." ECONOMY IN HOSPITAL WORK. ■ "I believe in keeping expenses as low as possible, but in no case should economy be permitted to affect the full efficiency and satisfactory working of a hospital," said Mr. G. J. Reid, one of the new candidates for the Hospital Board. Hospital expenses, he thought, were likely to increase rather than to fall, for medical expenses were not likely to go down,' and with the advance of science new systems of treatment would call for the assistance of more experts, for the securing of new equipment and the provision of further and special accommodation. Mr, Reid congratulated the Wellington Hospital Board on the success of its remit to the Hospitals Conference for the establishment of a system of standardised purchasing for the hospitals of the Dominion. In that way two ends had been served: economy in purchase price and an assurance of high standard in the articles purchased. A HIGHLY-EFFICIENT STAFF. "The Hospital Board is fortunate in having a most efficient staff, From the Superintendent down to the humblest employee there is now a marked de^ gree of efficiency," said Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell, who is seeking re-election to the Hospital Board. "During the last year we had to appoint a new superintendent. Applications were made from doctors from all over the Empire, and we were able to select from the applicants a highly-trained superintendent. He is a man on whom the board does, and can, rely to see that the staff performs its work well. The superintendent is the link between the other members of the staff and the board. He is responsible to see that the policy of the board is carried into effect. A year or two ago there was a great deal of publicity given to the affairs of the hospital, but 1 am glad to say that now the hospital is working smoothly and efficiently. Times have changed. In the old days people used to go into hospital expecting that they would be coming out feet first, .but that idea has entirely altered. The public know that in a great hospital such as is I ours they receive the very best treatment for their various troubles, and that if curable they will be cured." The board works now most harmoniously with the honorary staff. They consist of some of the leading surgeons and physicians in the city. Every member of the board is deeply grateful for the magnificent services rendered." QUITE A CHANGE OF VIEW. Councillor W. Duncan admitted last night that his. views on the City milk system have changed. "Four years ago when I joined the City Council I was right up against City milk because it was then bad," he said, "but I am pleased to say that since then' it is good; it is pure." And having stated his change of heart, Councillor Duncan became really enthusiastic, advising the audience against milk from other sources. The installation of new plant and methods of treatment at.the City milk depot, he said, had, given the City a supply of milk that was pure and could be relied on to the full. Councillor Duncan did not touch on council cars, but had a good: deal to say of overstaffihg in the engineer's department; ' REORGANISATION A BETTER POLICY. Councillor L. McKenzie ; said that savings which could be effected by discharging officers would not amount to a row of peas when compared with the benefits which • would follow were reorganisation employed in certain of the council's services. . There, .were,,- he thought, too many little .pocket holes of departments and too many Officers working independently, who should be working in greater cprppeiiration under one direction. Greater efficiency. had been obtained in the .days, when that system was in force,. as» .for instance, under such excellent men as the late Mr. W. H. Morton. ■.: ■ ;