MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 September 1918, Page 2

MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

tour Own Correspondent.]

Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, arrived in Reefton yesterday morning from Greymouth, and was met at the Railway Station by the- County Chairman and Councillors, Chairman, and members of the Inaugahua Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, Mr J. Colvin, M.P., and Mr A. Leaver (Mayor of WesfThe Minister was welcomed by the County Chairman, and in reply the Hon. Mr Russell Said it was his first visit to Reefton, and he was pleased to- be present with them. He was pleased t.o be in Reefton, where he had many friends of the very early days of the West Coast. His visit to the Coast was principally in connection with the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board business. He recognised that boards on the West Coast had hardships that no other boards in the Dominion had, ana to remedy this he would recommend to the Cabinet that an increased subsidy be paid to boards. The Minister was then motored to the Reefton Hospital, and was shown throughout by Dr Scott, medical superintendent, and Miss Barry, matron, at the same time speaking a kindly word to each of the patients. Hon. Mr Russell met the deputations from the local bodies at the County Council Chambers, the first being from the Inangahua Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. . Mr Betts moved a resolution be recorded on the minutes, extending a hearty welcome to the Minister of Public Health on his first visit to Reefton, and hoped it would not be the last. .He. referred to the drawing of men from the district, due to the war, but ■ was sure that, with the close of the war, this would cease, and we would have an expansion of the district, through the opening of the coal mines in the Inangahua Valley, he hoped the Minister would deal with the district in a liberal manner. The motion was seconded by Mr Dunn and carried with acclamation. Hon. Mr Russell thanked them heartily for their welcome. He had always wished to visit Reefton. He hoped his visit would be a substantial gain to the district. He fully recognised the West Coast could not be treated on the same lines as other parts of the Dominion. He referred to the cost of patients in the various hospitals in New Zealand, viz., 0-15 d per head of the population, less than l-6th of a penny. The average cost of patients to the Dominion was Gs while in the Duller district it was 10s 2d, Inangahua Grey 11s SfTand Westland £i. Waihi was the only other district throughout New Zealand approaching these districts in cost, that also was a mining district. He considered the O 4 , ■ , _ , Dominion was not treating this district fairly, and intended to bring the position of the West Coast Boards before Parliament for an increase in the subsidy. Inangahua last year received £1495 and if his suggestion was adopted it would receive £2IOO, an increase of £6OO. In this matter he was sure he would have the support of the West Coast members as well as of his colleagues. A phase of the Hospital entirely different to other parts of the Dominion Avas the large number of old people who were in Coastal institutions. They could not keep an old-age pensioner on his pension alone. He proposed to place the Hospital Boards on the West Coast in a better position than in the past. He compared the Waikato district with £21,000,000 of rateable property with the Inangahua, which had only £385,000 of rateable value, while the cost peh head was more in Inangahua than in Waikato. He saw the Reefton institution with great pleasure, though he recognised it AA*as not up to date. While the war was on they were spending £2,500,000 per month on military demands, and it was exceedingly difficult to attempt to find money for new things. Provision, however, must be made for an isolation ward, and a report would be immediately made on the matter, also in the matter of taking in the street adjoining and incorporating it in the grounds. This latter Avould have to be done by the Lands Department. The laundry required improving, and he regretted that it was not connected with electric or some other labour-saving power. In the event of the subsidy to the Hospital being increased he suggested that the rate of maintenance be not altered for a year or two, so that the Hospital Board coulcTacquire some funds. If any large scheme of Hospital extension was proposed and the district went ahead he would be pleased to meet them again- (Cheers). Mr Betts referred to the installation of an X-rays plant at the Hospital, Already the sum of £lO6 was subscribed, but they could not call upon their local con-

tributing body for assistance. The installation would cost about £SOO.

Dr Scott slated tliat if an X-ray picture was Avanted they bad to send a patient to Hokitika or Cbristclmrcli.

Hon. Mr Russell said if suck a plant were installed the medical superintendent would Lave to get tbe training at another hospital. He would obtain a report from tbe Department on the matter. At the present time tbe Martin Memorial was being installed at Palmerston North for the purpose of training medical men in X-rays treatment.

Ur. Scott contented that Reefton would eventually become a coal centre, and that the hospital would have to be enlarged to accommodate Ihe district’s wants- H© thought that instead of continually adding to it, and incurring further expense, a. new institution Avodld be preferable. At present they had no isolation ward and no provision for miner’s phthisis cases. Ho asked that immediately the finances of the Dohinion Avarranted it that a new institution be built. The drawback at present was that the old people occupied so much of the time of the staff. There Avero plenty of good sites obtainable in the district, and it Avas the duty of the community to provide for the sick and Avouiided.

The Minister pointed out that the project outlined' would cost from £20,000 to £30,000.

Mr. Colvin brought under tne Minister’s notice that the road to the Mainia Hot Springs had not yet been finished, although promised by the Minister of Public Works, lie referred to the wonderful curative properties of the springs, in addition to there being’a good climate. If this road Avas completed it would greatly relieve the hospital, as the old men could then,be sent there for treatment. The land also was fairly good and settlement Avas going on there.

Mr. Colvin also referred to the coal measures in the Inangahua, Valley, and stated he would put before the Minister a scheme that would reduce the price of coal perhaps to> the extent of 10s per ton. This was to the benefit of Buffer as well as Reefton. Reference was also made to the good land between Reefton and Murchison, via Maiuia, and 1 e was sorry the Minister was notable to visit it.

Mr. Betts brought under the Minister’s notice the disabilities under which the residents- of Waiuta Avere labouring for medical attention. He asked for special consideration for this district and that the subsidy to the hospital there he increased. Dr. Scott endorsed Mr. Bette’s contention, and suggested that if it Avere not possible to grant a larger subsidy that an up-to-date motor ambulance be provided so that those wanting medical attention cbuld be brought ±0 Reefton, failing a medical man being obtained for that place. In replying, Hon. Mr. Russell said he thought a, new hospital for the district would come quickly if the district expanded as expected by the various speakers. He considered himself the Canterbury Minister, and he was also going to look upon himself as the West Coast Minister. He looked upon the Manila Springs favourably, and was sorry he could no j; visit them. The use of these for soldiers had, however, to be turned down OAving to their inaccessibility.

Regarding Waiuta, he said Hospital Boards: had power to subsidise such institutions, and if any application Avas made it would cceive bis favourable consideration. The West Coast requirements might require special legislation, and though other hospitals were not in - uch a poor position as Waiuta, they also wanted assistance. He would give them every assistance in his power. Mr. Robson, Chairman of the Board, returned thanks for the reception given them and the deputation withdrew.

THAT “TAG.”

Mr. H. Betts referred to the tag on the county balance sheet by the Auditor-General, avlio had decided to surcharge the members with the amount. He (Mr. Betts) ay as preprepared to- pay the amount if the Isiav demanded it, but the opinion of Mr. Martin, the County Associations’ solicitor, was that the expenditure Avas legal. Tor 30 years or more the Council had been sending •.

gates to Wellington, and never before had the item been questioned. He the Auditor-Gen-eral had power to disallow the amount under the 11)08 Act. He thought the proceeding was ncalled for. The Auditor had threatened to sue. but had not done so. He (the speaker) was prepared to fight it out. in order to make the position clear whether the ,£IOO allowed the Chairman under the Counties Act was to cover all travelling expenses outside the district. He asked that rne Minister find out the law on the matter. Ho thought it most unfair that his name should be tagged to a, balance sheet for expenses that had been legitimately expended m th county’s services. _ , The Minister said the AuditorGeneral was removable only by both Houses of Parliament. He (the Minister) had no right to, approach him on the matter. The impression he had was that the Auditor-Gonoral had consulted the Crown Law Officer. and he was not going to ask tho Auditor to proceed against Mr. Betts. If Mr. Betts wanted a case he could write to the officer himself. He could not review the opinion of a, State officer; this did not come within hisi office.

Mr. Betts asked that if it Avas found that the Solicitor-General’s opinion was wrong that it would be made known to the County Council. He Avould like' the law to be made clear.

Hon. Mi*r Russell said the County Council could' go beyond the authorised expenditure under the Act if it Avasi for the benefit of the countv. and instanced such being done in Canterbury,’ if for the benefit of the county. COUNTY MATTERS.

The County Chairman introduced the matter of the maintenance of Hie main Grey Road, from the railway station to. the Grey County from the unauthorised expenditure. 3. heir revenue from rates had decreased from £4917 in 1914 to £2703 this year, and they found it almost im possible to- proA’ide for the upkeep of the roads. This piece of road Avas 18 miles in length. Mr. O’Regan referred to the necessity of a flag station on the rail-Ava-v between the Landing and Inanjrahua Junction. If allowed, this would 1 be a great convenience for residents. They ony Avanted a stopping place to- save some miles walking. • The Minister said he : would represent the matter re shortnes sof revenue and would ‘refer the matter to the Minister of Public Works. He • ■would strongly advocate a stoppingplace as suggested by Mr. O’ReganMr. Colvin made reference to the imprisonment of miners who struck work, while men. in Canterbury and other parts who refused to gio-w wheat were allowed to get oft ooot free. He then referred to the ailway to Wstport, which only required some 14 miles to finish. If lie could get the sanction ot x arliament he could get the railway constructed by a private company, as tfiey had already done on one line in ma eletcorate. tvt-p Mr. Russell Avas, pleased to see Mr. Colvin in such excellent form, J kel ' e was no one keener than he (the Minister) in seeing industries opened, borne 22 000 soldiers had returned , and ot these 800 or 900 had been placed on the land. Openings were, however, wanted for others, and it Avas industries such as Mr. Colvin suggested that would •nve opportunities for these as well as those who would return. He would do everything in his power to further the completion of the railway to Westport. He mentioned that tho Local Railways Act, 1914, gave power for a line to be taken over and made by the people of a district, which the Government could acquire at any time, but could not pay for the goodwill. He Avas in favor of the State being deprived of the hydroelectric power of the Dominion, so chat the people could progress on their own lines. They had raised £30,000,000 in Nbav Zealand for carrying on the war, and when this was over he- hoped they would continue this policy and make the Dominion jump along. Onehalf of the whole of the cheese imported into Great Britain went from New Zealand, and our imports were more per head than any other country in the world. He made glowing reference to the mineral Avealth of the West Coast, and wanted a scientific prospecting scheme established. When the Aval Was over they should put £IOO,OOO aside for this work, and keep men at it until they discovered the mineral wealth of the "country. He was prepared to help any scheme for the advancement of the Dominion. He echoed Mr. Colvin’s remarks that avg Avere not forcing farmers to grow wheat. At one time they were sending millions of tons o England, and sarv no reason why they should not do so again. What was wanted Avas a bold progressive policy to carry along. (Cheers.) PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION. Mr. Scanllebury referred to the Patriotic Association’s application to the Government to take over the Association’s funds.

The Minister said he had gone into the matter. They had spent &252 last year and had received only £l2, and unless provision Avas made to supplement this fund at the en dof three or fou ryears the Avhole of the obligation would fall upon the Government. Before the Government could take this over there would have to be a reasonable flow of funds to keep it going. He would have to submit it to the Nation War Funds Council for consideration. Mr. Scanllebury pointed out that the Ladies’ Patriotic Guild had been assist ed during the past lavo years and as this Society made a systematic collection, his Society had refrained from raising funds. The Minister asked the nature of the relief given to soldiers. Mr. Scanllebury . stated that money for a new suit of clothes Avas provided, as well as help given in necessitous cases. There were, however, so many soldiers from this district that no amount of funds which they could collect in this district would relieve them. The Minister said he could give them a promise to take the funds over, provided that during the next six months they did their best towards raising a sum of say £SOO. Mr. Patterson asked whether the grants to soldiers could not be extended to assist in the furnishing of homes. The Minister said he would refer this to his felloAV Ministers. REEFTON SCHOOL OF MINES. Mr. Patterson referred to the letter, stating that the subsidy to the School of Mines would be reduced by £SO, owing to the lessened number of students. The Minister, in reply, said that he Avon Id refer the matter to the Minister of Mines.

The County Chairman thanked the Minister for the coui’teous hearing.

The party then adjourned to Stapleton’s Hotel, Avhere a splendid luncheon was partaken of.