HOSPITALS NATIONALISED

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 189, 11 August 1920, Page 5

HOSPITALS NATIONALISED

MR McCOMBS'S SUGGESTION-

[prom our correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, Aug. 10, It was suggested by Mr McCbmbs (Lyttelton), when a small amendment to* the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Bill was introduced to-day, that the Government should place hospital subsidies on a national basis. Th© jn ember pointed out that a city district such as Christehurch had to pay much more for hospitals than the surrounding country, where hospital accommodation was not so complete or up-to-date, though the country I eoplo took advantage of the city hospital facilities. Every part of New Zealand should contribute equally according to its ability, which was only possible by making the Consolidated Revenue bear the whole cost of hospital administration. "I think that there is considerable force in the argument for a nationalised hospital system." admitted the Hon. Mr Parr, Minister for Health, "but it would mean that the Government would have to find close on £500.000 more money than it pays for the same purpose to-day. The remainder, about £500,000, is found by local ratepayers."

The Minister referred to many other claims upon the Treasury, suggesting that he could not under these conditions go to the Prime Minister and ask for a million for hospitals nationalisation. It had not been attempted in any country in rhe Avorld, but he would like New Zealand to be the first to try it. though he must at present*try and cut the coat according .to the cloth. The present subsidy system was. inequitable, and it was proposed this session to introduce a Bill providing for,* a fairer basis of subsidy.—("Hear, hear"). He proposed to introduce a new scale of subsidies on the lines approved by the conference of hospital authorities.

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