LABOR & THE ELECTIONS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9997, 28 April 1925, Page 5

LABOR & THE ELECTIONS

AIR. COLEMAN ON HOSPITAL MATTERS

Three of the Labor candidates- —- Alcssrs. D. W. Coleman, Jas. Perry and P. Alann—addressed a fairly weil attended meeting in the Alethodist schoolroom last., evening. Mr B. Hird was voted to the chair.

Messrs. Perry and Alann (Harbor Board candidates) spoke on similar lines t a those at their previous meetings. Mr. Cpleni-an, who is a candidate for tiie Borough Council and Hospital Board, after dealing briefly 'with Council matters, very much on the lines followed by Air. Bickford at previous meetings, dea.lt with Hospital Board matters. He said that, on account of the great interest that was being maintained in the Alayoral contest, lie was afraid Hospital Board matters were being overlooked' or treated as though they were of very little consequence. - He pointed out that the Board bad great financial responsibilities and this, lie said, seemed to be overlooked by the great mass of electors. The revenue of tlie Board 1 last year was £62,584, and the total assets of tlie Board were £160,686. of which amount land, buildings, and such comprised £120,879. Last year rthe assets were increased by £19,695. These figures alone, said Afr. Coleman, surely proved that the Hospital Board was a very important body ? He mentioned that there was a credit balance on! last year’s workings in the income and expenditure account of £11.500. Tlic ratepayers would get the benefit of this this year, as that much less would have to be raised. This year the estimated expenditure for maintenance was £40.358, and for capital expenditure £12,176. Both Air Bickford and himself, lie said, were opposed to the principle of private. wards. They stood for tlie institution being open to all, but preferential treatment .for no one. H private wards were instituted, it would inean preferential treatment for those able to pay an extra fee. There was no room for dividing lines between rich and poor insofar as.public health was concerned. There was a majority of the present Board in favor "of private wards and included in that number was a Borough representative, Air. AlcOlisk-'e. He paid high tribute to-toe work done by the Medical Superintendent, House Surgeons, Matrons,. S sters, nurses, secretary and office staff. - . 7

The contract system p-s retained by 10 votes to 5 Alcssrs Smith. Witters, Todd, Alirfie’d, and Corson be*ng disientants.