HOSPITAL ELECTION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14189, 25 April 1919, Page 5

HOSPITAL ELECTION.

LABOUR CANDIDATES. SPEECHES AT TERRACE END. There was only a fair attendance at the Coronation Hall last night to hear the views of the Labour candidates for the Borough Council and Hospital Board. Mr J. Robinson occupied the chair and apologised for the absence of Mr V. Stamp (Hospital Board) and Mr H. Le Grange (Council), who were unavoidably absent. The speakers were Messrs J. Hodgens and I’. W. Comerford (Council) and Mrs Gill (Hospital Board.

MR J. HODGENS. The first speaker was Mr Hodgens, who said there was no connecting link between them and Mr Thomson whatsoever. After referring to his local record, the coudidute said business ability had not in the past been shown in borough! affairs. Regarding the overdraft, he said that for the past year ending March 31st, it had reached £13,518 in two years, an increase of approximately £9OOO. Various excuses were put forward to explain the overdraft, particularly the excuses of increased wages and cost of material during the war period. Cr Crabb, of the finance committee, had stated that the borough was very fast approaching the limit regarding rates. If they pressed further they could only get £2500. That was by putting the rates to the absolute limit. Their business abaility would land them in “queer street’ ’ if a change was not effected. The abattoirs had been purchased for £12,500 (approximately). In March, 1910, there was a debit of £3200. Before purchasing them they were supposed to get expert advice. The council had so far failed to make good on their purchase. Ho thought it was up to someone to give a straight explanation. Personally, Mr Nash owed the borough an explanation regarding the method of purchase of the abattoirs. Mr Hodgens also dealt with the municipal bowling greens, which matter, he considered worse than the abattoirs. The greens had cost the borough £955, and that money could have been spent to greater advantage. After that amount had been spent tie greens were handed over a a club at a rental of £125 per annum. It was mooted, not officially, that a proposal was on foot to establish a tennis court in connection with this. His contention was that until someone was there to ask why these things wore being done the council would continue to spend the ratepayers’ money indiscriminately. Cr Spooner, together with Cr Crabb, had decided to . withdraw from the council, but after being approached by several citizens they again offered their services. “Before Mr Spooner attempts to address the electors,’’ said the speaker, “he should first of all make an explanation on the matter of the municipal greens, as one of the loading men in that, movement. He owes a duty to the ratepayers in that respect.” (Applause.) Regarding North Street Park, a block of 15 acres which had cost £2500, with an additional £SOO, he asked why the council did not use the ground for the same purpose as the resident it was purchased from. That resident had grown pat crops at a good profit. If the council could have done this, it would have reduced the overdraft. The horse feed ran the council into a*grcat expenditure, £ll2l being the cost for the last year. He disliked the idea of the council “going into committee.” That showed that there were some things which they wished to hide from the ratepayers. If men were sent there to do the business for the ratepayers they should bide nothing. He would sec, if he got there, that that secret business would be done away with. (Applause.)

j MR COMERFORD. | Mr Comerford advocated the establishment of a municipal market and a municipal laundry. Another aspect was the municipal ownership, inspectorship and control of foodstuffs, etc. The matter of town-planning, which included the erection of workers’ homes, sewerage in new streets prior to being taken over by the municipality, and the cost of same to be borne by the-property owner, were dealt with. The Municipal Council should be compelled to withdraw from the Employers’ Association. No land owned by the council should be sold. The need for more recreation grounds being provided in various parts of the town for the children, was also stressed.

MRS GILL. Mrs Gill, a candidate for the Hospital Board, said if returned she would go on as she had done before being ousted in that very undemocratic way last August. Mrs Gill said it was necessary for a ivoman to be on the board, as would be seen by the fact that now the bar on local girls from entering the nursing profession was lifted. the work of the women members of the board. At the present time girls were being advertised for to undergo training. In touching on her efforts while otf the board, Mrs Gill stated that she had been successful in getting several very important resolutions passed and had also taken a big part in the revision of the by-laws. The question of the Biatcrnity home was still hanging in balance. 7 Sonic thought it was settled, but it was not. They had got some nasty dims from Hon. G. M. Russell. She was confident that members were waiting for the possibility ot another Minister replacing Hon. G. W ’ who might be more favourable to hj. ing the home erected on the hospital o-rounds. However, the matter was being kept hanging on and it was high time some finality was reached. bhc would advocate free hospital treatment ■Mid also free dental service tor school children. Mrs Gill spoke of the condiUon of the Old Peoples’ Homo. which bho said in many respects lackccl even the most necessary comforts. The Ire admission of all doctors on t honorary staff of the hospital was a fair thine and should be brought about. Ihe hospital was at present conserved tor a few doctors. However, she thought that before long they would all ie there. (Applause.) _ At the conclusion ot the ao dresses various questions were asked and answered.

LODGE CANDIDATE'S PROGRAMME. At a meeting of the Manawatu Friedly Societies’ Council last night it was decided to strongly support the candidature of Bro. F. Pycroft, and to endorse the following programme: (I) A wider system of local control of all hospitals; '(2) special provision for lodge patients under contribution scheme; (2) access of doctors to the public hospital to operate on and attend to their own patients; (4) in-

crease in the pay of probationers and nurses; (5) the erection of a St. Helen’s Home for Palmerston North and district in lieu <f the proposed maternity home; (6) the control of the local Health Officer by the Hospital Board instead of by the Health Department as at present; ( 7) the appointment of an additional inspector for the Manawatu Hospital district.

The Labour candidates, Messrs Hodgens, Le Grange, Gomerford, G. T. Stamj) and McGill win address a meeting of electors at the Opera House this evening at 8 o'clock.