HOSPITAL FINANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1929, Page 2

HOSPITAL FINANCE

MINISTER ' SEERS AN IMPROVE- • ft; . . ■WELLINGTON, Oct. 2. Commenting on the-gradual increase in the burden of hospital contributions placed on 'the public, Mr Savage (Auckland West)> a member of the Auckland Hospital Board, suggested in the House of Representatives to-day that a new basis of hospital finance might be sought. It was just a question whether hospital finance should not be obtained by means pf direct vote from .the Consolidated Fund, he said. Replying, the Minister of Health, the Hon A. J. Stallworthy, said he quite recognised the importance of the subject raised by Mr Savage. It was a big point of policy. It had been d/’sc'ussed with hospital hoards, the Hospital Boards Conference, and departmental omcers, and the Minister saidlhe was doing his best to evolve a better method of hospital finance than was at present enjoyed. “It must be'plain” -said Mr Stallworthy, * “that we have at present a system of hospital finance and a hospital system generally which gives us reason for a large degree of gratification. In the Old Country hospitals have to rely entirely on the unstable system of voluntary contributions. Any comparison made between the two must be in favour, of the New Zealand system, which has an assured definite substantial basis of finance. It has been suggested, that we should seek for a definite assured substantial basis, but I think we have it. Of course, a certain amount of financial responsibility was placed on the shoulders of local bodies, but it should not be overlooked that 50 per cent, at least fell on the Consolidated Fund in respect of capital expenditure and maintenance.” There was room for difference of opinion, but speaking by and large there was every reason to be proud of New Zealand’s system, which had been decribed by experts as one of the finest systems in the world. Personally, he had investigated hospital ..systems abroad, and agreed with visitors that New Zealand’s system was the finest in the world. He would admit that the basis of finance might not be a!.‘xoether equitable or, perfect, and for that reason he intended to discuss further with hospital boards and local bodies some system of more equitable levy or taxation as between the town and the country dweller. There was just a danger that with finance and revenue too assured New Zealand might be drying up the possibilities of voluntary contributions. Mr Fraser (Wellington Central): Oh, they can be well dried up. Mr Stallworthy said that was a matter for one’s personal point of view. He believed that for those who had the means' the care of the sick presented almost an unrivalled opportunity to make gifts. New Zealand could be proud of the large and generous bequests which had been made in the past. .j: