The Arrow Observer, AND LAKES DISTRICT CHRONICLE. Arrowtown,, Thursday, Dec. 4, 1879

Lake County Press, Volume VIII, Issue 447, 4 December 1879, Page 2

The Arrow Observer, AND LAKES DISTRICT CHRONICLE. Arrowtown,, Thursday, Dec. 4, 1879

We have "before us the new "Hospital and Charitable Institutions Bill," introduced into the House of Bepresentatives by the Hon. J. Hall, and.find lit as objectionable a measure as could well have been devised by any politician. Td fully review its provisions would take too much space; but we will shortly notice some of its most obnoxious clauses. The Bill provides that the affairs of hospitals andcharit-

able institutions shall be conducted by Boards elected by the Councils- of the contributory local bodies comprised in a district, such bodies having the votingpower distributed amongst them according to- the amount they contribute' to the funds, the subscribers having no voice in the election of Boards or in the management of affairs.. And, as if the more effectually to exclude the plebeian element from the management, no person shall be eligible to election as a member of a Board unless he has such a qualification as would entitle mm to a seat in a County or Borough Council. If such a principle were adopted it would deprive many exceedingly useful institutions throughout the country of the voluntary sup-port-which at present keeps them in a healthy and vigorous condition; and, at the same time, place the power in the hands of a class of men who are not, as a rule, above caste prejudices. The principle that wealth, and eonsequent nomination by wealthy Councillors, will ensure intelligence and sound management is exploded; and any Government attempting to introduce nominee Boards—which these would virtually be where elective bodies at present carry on affairs should be shown, once and for all, that it will not be tolerated. Another strong objection to the proposed system is that a local body, the members of which were opposed to any existing institution, could nominate and elect a Board antagonistic to such institution, which Board might without much trouble manage (?) it out of existence altogether. For the sake of argument we will suppose a case. In the Wakatip "district" there are at present two hospitals—one at Arrowtown and one at Frankton—the supporters of each institution being prepared to maintain them in a state of efficiency by contributing to the funds and electing competent and trustworthy Committees. In the same district there are three local bodies—one at Arrowtown and two at Queenstown. The latter place, consequently, under the proposed system, would have at least twice as much power in the appointment of a Board as the former, and could work its own sweet will on the hospital established there. We do not say that any injury would result to the Arrow District Hospital, but merely point out that "Human nature is human nature the wide worldo'er," and it miglit ; or, should the preponderance of power at any future time be in the Arrow, it might fare ill -with the Frankton establishment. There are numbers af parallel cases throughout the country, and we only cite the case of the Wakatip to show how the Bill would operate, and not with the slightest feeling of local jealousy. It is further provided that, in the event of any patient being unable to pay for his or her maintenance, the nearest relative can be compelled to make good the debt. Hence, an unfortunate near relative might have to pay for "his uncles, his sisters, his cousins, and his aunts." should they happen to occupy the position of nonpaying patients, and calls upon his purse might be sent in from several hospitals in the Colony under these conditions. The funds for the support of hospitals and charitable institutions will consist of grants from the General Assembly, grants from local bodies (who will have to contribute in proportion to population, and are empowered to levy special rates for the purpose), donations or subscriptions, rents, &c. The special rate is given no name in the Bill, but it is, in reality, the first "Poor Rate" the Colonial Legislature has been asked to sanction. The only provision made for the collection of donations or subscriptions is contained in the following clause, "At every hospital or charitable institution a book, to be called < The Contributor's Book,' shall be kept, in which shall be entered the names and addresses of such benevolent persons as may be desirous of contributing towards the funds of such hospital." In fact, the only return a subscriber will get for his money is the satisfaction of having his name and address entered in a book which the authorities may keep under lock and key, for all the Bill says to the contrary; while he hands his subscription to a Board elected by others for disposal as they deem fit. Under such circumstances, the "donations and contributions" are hardly likely to reach any magnificent total in the course of a twelvemonth. ( Another clause, which is of no particular local interest, but may serve to show the general want of ability and legislative perception which characterises the measure, provides that any " sick, indigent, or infirm person" receiving relief from any charitable institution shall contribute to such institution " according to their means (!) any sum not exceeding twenty shillin°-s per week." °

We.think,- upon the -whole, that a Bill containing such provisions as above referred to, coupled with many others of minor, though not less objectionable, import, cannot fail to raise stern opposition in the House, as well as in the public mind; and, if passed at all, must be so altered as to become law in an almost unrecognisable form. If the Government, instead of wasting time in preparing this Bill, had set itself the task of consolidating the existing Statutes relating to the question; and providing substantial endowments for hospitals and charitable institutions, it might have given us something workable, while securing the voluntary principle and elective Committees. We hope, and feel assured, that Mr Finn, as representing this district, will oppose the Bill in' its present shape, and that he will bring his knowledge of up-country business and sympathies to bear in securing our hospitals and charitable institutions against the dangers which threaten them in this measure.