Conference of Northern Hospital Boards.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 26, 31 March 1933, Page 1

Conference of Northern Hospital Boards.

A conference of the six North Auckland Hospital Boards was held at Whangarei last week, Messrs C. B. Michie (Chairman) and W. H. Atkins (Secretary) representing the Mangonui Board. Delegates found themselves in unanimity as to the need of alleviation in the cases of those districts with a large native population but divided as to the remedial action best suited to meet the situation.

In introducing the question, Mr. C. B. Michie said that it was unfair that European ratepayers should have to pay the additional cost as the result of heavy writing-off of Maoris fees. His board considered that the charges for natives should be borne by the Consolidated Fund. A table was produced showing the actual cost of Maori relief to the several boards as follows:—Mangonui £1,751, Bay of Islands £1,884, Hokianga £2,953, Whangarei £1,874. After considerable discussion it was resolved to approve of the principle that the Government should supplement the foes collected from Maoris so as to bring the receipts up to the ratio of collections made in respect of European patients. In connection with the establishment of a home for infirm women in the North delegates did not consider the time had arrived for such provision to be made. Several co-operative measures for the smoother working of hospital control in the North were also decided upon.