HOSPITAL BOARDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 October 1931, Page 8

HOSPITAL BOARDS

GOVT. “RELIEF” SUBSIDIES[FEB PBESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. October 28. The extent to which the Government is prepared to assist Hospital Boards by way of subsidies towards providing outdoor relief, was explained in the House to-day by the Minister of Health. Mr Young. He did so in answer to a question by his immediate predecessor in that office, Mr Stallworthy. Incidentally the reply to the question indicated that there was a difference of opinion as between the Minister and the ex-Minister as to what had been agreed to.

The question, which was originally submitted to the Minister of Finance (Mr Stewart), and by him referred to the Minister of Health for a reply, was as to whether special provision had been made for the reimbursement of the railway freights paid by the social and relief organisations for the carriage of gitts of food, coal, etc., for free distribution to the distressed people during last winter; or if it was proposed that the Hospital Boards should meet those claims, to which consideration was promised, out of the additional/£105,000 subsidies made available to them for outdoor relief purposes. Mr Stallworthy added that the £105,000 referred to was made up of £30.000 held in reserve for further aseitance to Hospital Boards, and an additional £75,000 in the Supplementary Budget. The Minister of Finance said that his information was that no promise had been made on the lines indicated. All that had been promised was that it would be considered when the Supplementary Estimates were being dealt with. Another aspect was one that could be dealt with by the Minister of Health.

Mr Young, Health Minister, said that the figure of £105,000 additional subsidies referred to in the question was not correct. No such sum was ever made available. The question was also in error with regard to the alleged £30,000 being held in reserve. The position was that there was a seeming saving of £30,000 on the total amount originally set by the Cabinet as a limit for all hospital subsidy purposes. The error made by Mr Stallworthy was that he had omitted to deduct from that £30,000 about £lB,OOO allotted to Hospital Boards as subsidy on voluntary contributions, and for which the Hospital Boards had made provision. The Government, added the Minister, has decided to assist Hospital Boids to meet extraordinary demands made upon them for outdoor relief by making available £75,000, which, however, was to be inclusive of, and not in addition to the £30,000.