Manawatu Daily Times

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6865, 21 March 1929, Page 6

Manawatu Daily Times

Hospital Finance Problems

jvjeW SOUTH WALES appears at long last to be about to face the question of hospital finance. For many years successive Governments have been urged to tackle the question, but they have carefully dodged it. Now, however, the Bavin Cabinet lias made a brave move. But it remains to be seen whether its compromise with the present voluntary subscription system will be a success, A strong body of opinion in Australia favours New Zealand’s rating system which has at least this merit that it makes everyone share the burden. The New South Wales authorities, however, are still enamoured of the voluntary idea and they propose to continue to subsidise all subscriptions so raised.

A commission is to be appointed to have'a general oversight of hospital administration in the hope that costs will be standardised and generally kept within bounds. It will nave authority to examine the management of any hospital and order reforms when reforms arc necessary. Further than that it will have the power to close institutions that arc not considered necessary. The Government will come to the aid of committees in the matter of providing money for new buildings. Further—and this seems the trump card —the committees will have pow er to sue for hospital fees in cases where there is reason to believe that the patient is in a position to pay. In the past it has been the practice oi most of the hospital patients in New South Wales to avoid the payment of fees as much as possible, and almost every hospital has a large sum outstanding.

One hospital board at the recent conference in Palmerston North urged the establishment of a State lottery for helping hospital finance, but the idea received short shrift. Australia, however, is fascinated by this dubious method of getting easy money. Although Mr. Bavin has all along opposed it there is a growing demand, and it is suggested that the Government may not able to resist it. Several supporters, besides a majority of the Labour members of Parliament, believe that the lottery will provide the way out. Queensland’s experience is freely quoted and it has been said that sufficient money goes from New South Wales each month for the Queensland lottery the Golden Casket to support all the hospitals in the Brisbane metropolitan area. In addition, it is pointed out the Tasmanian consultation receives enormous support from New South Wales, and, it is argued, why should not all this money bo retained in the State ?

It is pointed out that the hospitals willingly accept the returns from art unions and games of chance and chocolate wheels and the like, and it is not regarded as a very far cry to a State lottery. One of the Government supporters said: ‘ New South Waies is helping to finance Queensland and Tasmania. While the Government professes to be horror-stricken at the thought of a State lottery these two States stand by and laugh at us. They can certainly afford to laugh.” An amendment in favour of a lottery will be moved when the -h /■ pital BiL reaches the comjnittce stage and the result will be awaited with interest throughout the State. If the amendment is carried there will certainly be indignation from the churches, says a .well-informed correspondent.