TELEGRAMS

Grey River Argus, 20 April 1909, Page 3

TELEGRAMS

Per Press As&ociation— By Electr, Telegraph — Copyiigb' .

THE HON. T. McKENZIE.

HEALTH RESORTS' PROPOSAL,

CHRISTCHURCH, April 19. The Hon. T. McKenzie, who has been on a visit to Otago and Southland, returned to Christchurch by t^e first express on Saturday evening, and left by the evening's steamer- for Wellington. Interviewed in regard to the thermal regions of Hanmer and Rotorua, the Minister stated that he intended to place before the Government a proposal by. which accommodation mignt be provided for. invalids suffering from rheumatism- arid 'other . cpmnlaints. who were unable through lack of funds to visit the health resorts. His idea was to reduce the present charges for treatment, the balance 'of the expense being borne by the boards of hospital and charitable aid districts' from which the patients came, thus relieving the Government of any extra expense in connection with these already expensive and practically non-revenue producing places. The Minister pointed out that the subsides and rates received by the locil bodies in question would enable them to bear this charge, and many invalids who, . through straitened circumstances, have a good opportunity of. being o_refi. The Minister added that he had been very busy lately generally in re_rganising the Tourist Department, and would probably have a communication to make public in regard to new schemes at an early date.-