THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1942. HOSPITAL COSTS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3150, 29 July 1942, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY. “Public Service.” WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1942. HOSPITAL COSTS

There can be no need for any conjecture as to the increased costs of maintaining and treating hospital patients, for the figures are analysed fully every year and the appendix to the annual report of the Department of Health sets them out in great detail. For that reason the deputation which waited on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health could address themselves to the one vital point,, the adequacy or otherwise of the payment of 6s per day for each occupied bed, as fixed under the Social Security Act;. The matter is to have the immediate consideration of the Government and representatives of the local bodies are to discuss hospital costs with departmental officials. Possibly, with so many things to hold their attention, people may have overlooked the fact that the war must have made a tremendous demand for the medical, surgical and other supplies that are essential to the hospitals. The increase in cost is, of course, a serious matter, but it would be much more serious if really vital supplies could not be obtained.

WHAT OF THE FUTURE ?

In raising the question of whether the extreme measures of Government control brought in for war purposes would be relinquished in peacetime, the president of the National Party appeared to be feeling his way somewhat dubiously for a satisfactory . answer. Whatever views his party may hold on the subject, and Mr Gordon’s “middle of the road” policy leaves these in some obscurity, it can safely be said that public opinion will not approve the perpetuation in times of peace of the extremes of State regimentation of individual liberty of action tolerated only as a war emergency measure. No'one can queson that there will be many changes on pre-war conditions and outlook as the result of the war and the experiences it has brought. That seems inevitable. But what Mr Gordon describes as the freedom of the individuals “to follow their genius and enterprise” in the activities of tie community will still be a vital factor in the lives of all berty-loving people. This fact might with advantage have been given clearer and greater emphasis in the survey of future possible trends of policy briefly touched on by the president of ■ le National Party.