HEALTH MINISTER’S FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO PALMERSTON

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6811, 15 January 1929, Page 8

HEALTH MINISTER’S FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO PALMERSTON

Gees! of Hospital Board HEALTH FOUNDATION OF OUR SOCIAL LIFE The Minister of Health (Hon. A. J. Stallworthy) made his first official visit to Palmerston North yesterday, when he was the guest of the Palmerston North Hospital board at lunch at the Grand hotel, and was afterwards taken over the hospital, old people’s home, maternity home, and the board's Awapuni farm; in all of which institutions he displayed the keenest interest. Last evening he met the nurses of the hospital and this morning leaves for Wanganui. He is accompanied by Dr T. H. A. Valentine (Director General of Health) and before coming to Palmerston North, spent a few minutes at Otaki, where he looked around the hospital there. A cordial welcome was extended to the Minister by the chairman of the board, (Sir Jas. G. Wilson) at the conclusion of yesterday's luncheon. Sir James also congratulated Mr Stallworthy on his appointment and intimated that the board had practically no requests to place before him. It was hoped his visit to Palmerston North would bo a very pleasant one and that the Minister would depart feeling that the board was doing its duty to the public. The Minister, the speaker thought, was very fortunate in taking over a department such as Public Health. It was efficiently staffed with men of experience and the relations betw'een the board and the department had been most cordial. There had been differences at times, but no disrespect. Looking After N.Z. Born.

Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., also extended a welcome to the Minister, and referred to the fact that the Palmerston North hospital was one of the best administrated in the Dominion as far as cost was concerned. He hoped the Minister would take particular notice of the maternity home, which he thought was a movement in the right direction. Dr. Valintinc: Hear, hear. Mr Nash: Instead of assisting to bring in immigrants, we arc looking after our New Zealand born. .The home has proved a success and it will not be long before we will have to increase the size of it. ( Mr J. K. Hornblow introduced, the matter of the heavy call that had been made on the board’s finances as a result of unemployment. Ho recalled that about 1000 men in tho hemp industry had been thrown out of work and the board had been faced with the request for food for their dependents. The board had had to find about £BOO extra this year and if the Government could do something to help it w T ould be appreciated. If not, the burden would have to be borne by the ratepayers during the coming year. Mr Hornblow recalled that certain cities had been helped financially. Foundation Ministry. In replying to tho welcome, the Minister said he had no intention of making policy references. Ho had not held office for long and had a lot to learn. Ho had been rash enough to make a few remarks in Auckland about being able to render a great deal of service to men and women who fell by the wayside and had been taken to task in a mild way. It would be a very-.poor man, however, who did not feel in some way that lie could do some good. Tho ministry in which he was engaged was a foundation one in State affairs. Without healthy people r.ot much good could be done. Health was the foundation on. which social life was built and the people should make every possible contribution towards attaining a healthy community. “Along these lines, I feel I am engaged in a very great and noble work and it is my privilege,” added the Minister, “to congratulate those men and women throughout New Zealand who are rendering such a magnificent social service without reward, except satisfaction at the knowledge that he or she has performed some useful service for society.”

“Dr. Valintine,” added the Minister amidst laughter in which the DirectorGeneral himself joined, “has been described as the Mussolini of New Zealand and it takes a strong man to keep him in his place (further laughter) but I am more than pleased to hear that he enjoys the absolute confidence of the Palmerston North Hospital board.” Serious disagreement between the department and a hospital board would be a calamity. He thanked Sir James for the citation of his experiences, which would be invaluable to him as a Minister. Free Grants Not Favoured. In referring to Mr Hornblow’s request, the Minister stated that he could not give a definite answer, as the matter was one of policy. Free grants to hospital boards would mean a heavy drain on the countries’ finances. However, he would make representations to Cabinet and if it was possible to help, the government would do so. The abnormal demand on hospital finance had been used as an argument for an alteration in the incidence of rating. The situation which had arisen of late years should not be taken as an argument for an alteration in a permanent policy. The country had come through abnormal years and the unemployment phase was one which would pass. Soon, the country would be in an era of prosperity and demands made on hospital funds would then be greatly relieved. If it was not -possible for the government to make a grant, as requested, it would be because it was anxious to help along the lines of improving the situation in another way—by concentrating the resources of the country on j a public works programme and so eliminating unemployment.