ST. HELEN'S HOME.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1655, 22 October 1919, Page 4

ST. HELEN'S HOME.

WHOSE THE RESPONSIBILITY?

At the meeting of the Borough Council last night a letter was received from the Hospital Board forwardinjj tho following resolution for the Council's consideration: "That the lioard recognise the Government's responsibility for providing St. Helen's hospital in Palrnerston North, and that this resolution be submitted to tho Borough Council for their endorsement and support, and a copy of the same be forwarded to the member for the district."

The Mayor said in respect to the resolution that lie had already put a question on the Order Paper of the House dealing with tho matter. Presumably the Government would decline to do anything- in the matter for the reason that if they consented to establish a St. Helen's hospital outside any of the four centres every town would ask. for one. Anyway ho was waiting for a definite reply. The Hospital Board were; of opinion tliat a maternity home should be established, and provision had been made for its erection, probably next year, on tho land available at the hospital. Or. Graham rose to endorse the resolution of the Board. He considered that tho necessity for such a heme was becoming more imperative every year. Cr. Orabb also stressed the necessity for such an institution, and moved as follows: "That this Council is of opinion that there is an urgent need for a St. Helen's hospital in the town, and it endorses the resolution of the Hospital Board; and that if the Government cannot do it tho Council should." The Mayor suggested that Cr. Crabb amend part of his motion so as to read: That it be the business of this Council to see that a maternity hospital is erected in the town.

Cr. Spooner: If it is an incentive to increase tho birth rate we should have one in every town immediately. It'was finally decided thai it should be the duty of tho Hospital Board to establish a maternity homo in tho Borough.