NATIONAL HOSPITALS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 August 1920, Page 2

NATIONAL HOSPITALS

MORE EQUITABLE SYSTEM

EXPENSE THE OBJECTION,

PROPOSAL IN THE HOUSE. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, August 10. It was suggested by Mr. McCombs, when a small- amendment to the Hospital and Charitable Aid Bill was introduced to-day that the Government should place hospital subs dies on a national basis. The member pointed out that the City districts such as Christchurch had to P a J much more for hospitals than the surrounding country where the hospital accommodation' was not so complete or up to date, though the country people took advantage of the city hospital facil ties. Every part of New Zealand should contr.bute equally accor ding to its ability, which was only possible by making the Congo.idated revenue bear the whole cost of hospital adm in' strat ion. “X think there is considerable force in the argument for the nationalised hospital system.” admitted the Hon. C. J. Parr (Minister for Health), ‘•but it would mean that the Government would have to fin I close on £500,003 more money than it pays for the same purpose to-day. The remainder, about £500,000 is found by local ratepayers.” The Minister referred to many other claims upon the Treasury suggesting that he could not, under these conditions, go to the Premier and ask for a million for hospital nationalisation. It had not been attempted in any country in the world but ho would like New Zealand to be the first to try it, though it must, at present try to cut its coat accordin''* to the cloth. The present sub sidy system was inequitable and it was proposed this session to introduce a 818 providing for a fairer basis of subsidy) (Hear,‘hear). He proposed to introduce a mw scale of subsidies on the lines approved by the conference of hospital author.ties.