CHRISTMAS CHEER FUNDS

Evening Star, Issue 19699, 28 October 1927, Page 3

CHRISTMAS CHEER FUNDS

(ID SUBSIDY FROM DEPARTMENT PROTEST by hospital board A protest was made by tbo Hospital Board last night against the refusal of tlio department to subsidise amounts raised for “Christmas cheer” purposes. The department's contention was that Government money could not bo used for purposes for which the ratepayers’ money was not available, hut it was pointed out at the meeting that the money was not used lor providing extra for hospital patients, but to give extras at Christmas time to those unfortunates in receipt of charitable aid. The DiiTctor-Gencral ol UonHli (p 1 Valintine) wrote stating that subsidies would not bo granted upon amounts given for tlio purpose of providing extras for the patients at Christmas. The board would readily understand that Government money should not be available for purposes lor which ratepayers’ money would not be available. The director’s letter further pointed out that voluntary contributions formed n very small proportion of a board’s revenue nowadays, and stated that tlio writer, far from agreeing with tbc board that the public would not subscribe if no subsidy was forthcoming, considered that the reason the public did not give more in voluntary contributions was that hospital finance was assured by other means. Ho thought, therefore, that if the board made an appeal to the public lor hinds lor Christmas cheer it would find that there would be a ready response. Mr Dove said it was to bo regretted that the department had taken up such an attitude. The money collected was rot devoted to giving extras _to the patients, but was used during the Christmas period for those unfortunates in receipt of charitable relief. Extras were given in such a case where the head of the family had been out of work. The board should protest strongly and make itself heard. TTo moved that the hoard should again communicate with the department and inform it that it was wrong in supposing that extras wore provided for the hospital patients with the money. The Chairman said the whole of the boards throughout New Zealand had received a similar circular from the department. He did not know that ho could agree with Dr Valintine when he said that possibly the same amount would bo subscribed if no Government subsidy were granted. The appeal had been made fox* many years, and it was purely to give extra assistance at Christmas time to those who were m receipt of charitable aid. Mr Morgan seconded the motion. He asked if it would be possible tor the hospital boards to take up the matter. The Chairman said that could be gone into later. ■ The Secretary said he had. drawn up a letter giving the board’s views, and it was that this letter should be sent on-