The Globe. TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1525, 7 January 1879, Page 2

The Globe. TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1879.

Yet another local body has declined to accept tho crude and ill-considered proposals as to the future management of Hospitals, &c., which the Government has propounded. The Selwyn County Council has refused to listen to the voice of tho charmer, though tho bait of halfcontribution by tho Government has been dangled temptingly before it. It is hard to say what ideas the Government hold upon the subject, except that they are desirous at all costs to get rid of the control of these institutions. That they will bo better administered under local management and supervision no one will, wo think, deny; and therefore with that part of the Government proposal we agree. But the Government have made no provision for the bringing about this superintendence. It was clearly and distinctly their duty to have promoted during the late session such legislation as would enable tho institutions to pass under local control. They have not done so ; hence the dead-lock which has occurred. Tho local bodies have each been requested by circular letter to take over the Hospitals, &c., but the Government has boon singularly reticent both as to the mode in which this is to be done and the procedure necessary prior to tho step being taken. The propositions of the Government shape themselves into two salient points. The first of these is the representation at a Board of tho counties and boroughs between the Rangitata and Hurunni, for the purpose «f filing the contributions to tho local Hospital under the arrangement suggested by tho conference of counties and boroughs. The amount of their respective contributions is not fixed, but is left to tho Board when in existence to arrange. The same peculiar legislation, or rather want of it, is noticeable in the representation. Usually the number of members for a public bodysuch as this one is fixed by statute, after of course the respective rights of the parties interested to be represented are ascertained. As regards finance the Government proposal is more definite. They intend, if the Board spoken of comes into existence, that it shall undertake all future responsibilities connected with these institutions, the Government contributing one-half the cost. On the other hand, if the local bodies decline to accept the responsibility, tho Government will defray the whole cost and deduct it in full from tho subsidies payable to tho bodies interested. It will thus bo soon that whether wo have a voice in the management of these institutions or not, wo shall have to pay for their maiutenence. Therefore it seems to bo as well for us to have the control in our own hands than to have to pay out largo sums in the expenditure of which wo have no voice, and concerning which wo have never been consulted. But while this is so it by no moans follows that wo should accept finally -whatever plan the Government chooso to put before us. There was a time in tho golden flush of the popularity of tho Ministry when almost any proposition coming from them would have been eagerly acquiesced in without much consideration or scrutiny. But a change for tho better—has fcotno over tho spirit of our droam. Public bodies are now fortunately for themselves careful to scan very closely the proposals of tho Government, with a view of discovering if possible what motive lies beneath tho fairly promising surface. So it is in tho present instance that tho Solwyu County Council have wisely determined upon convoking again tho conference which met some months back to consider the eelf-eamo Bubjecti In a conference of this kind

tho proposals mado by the , Government can bo fully discussed, and tho feelings and ideas of tho various bodies ascertained. Perhaps from tho deliberations of this body a scheme yet more comprehensive than tho ono now before us may be evolved, and the difficulty which appears to besot the final solution of this question removed. So far as wo seo at present there will bo but little chance of a change being mado in tho mode of management until after next session. It is scarcely to be expected, even supposing tho conference to accept in gloho the scheme now proposed by tho Government that such wonderful unanimity will characterise tho various local bodies, as is requisite in order to allow of it being carried into practical effect. Ono or two malcontents amongst them and the whole scheme is upset. A difference of opinion may arise as to the representation or tho amount payable by each, and some may withdraw from contributing. There is no statutory obligation upon them to do so. Therefore it appears to us that until legislation has taken place very little or indeed nothing can bo done. The conference as proposed can sit, and as we have pointed out perhaps useful results may follow from their deliberations, but nothing tangible in tho shape of assuming control by the local bodies ought we submit to bo done until tho question is settled bo legislation on a firm basis. Unless this is done we shall be constantly having repetitions of the difficulty which now presents itself. There will be no security, no settled basis upon which to go. It is better, therefore, in the interests of the institution, that wo should recognise the fact that until after legislation (to support which will form part of the duties of the conference) has taken place the present system and Board will have to be continued. By doing this wo shall have for a time at least something like a settled foundation to go upon. In tho meantime the suggestions of the local bodies assembled in conference can bo put into shape for legislation next session, when the whole question can bo finally dealt with and settled.