HOSPITAL MATTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12269, 13 May 1903, Page 6

HOSPITAL MATTERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—The hospital agitation, as carried on by our local bodies, docs not increase my respect for the members. Yesterday's wrangle- was to my mind very ill-placed. The whole agitation is, in my opinion, not one to reflect credit on anyone. No one seems to take any high stand or business-like view of matters, merely miserable cheese-paring, save-my-pocket stand. Of all things, it does seem to me most strange that we, who want our district to be a sanatorium and attractive tourist resort, should quarrel and grumble at a few pounds spent in hospital and public health requirements. We farmers want more local consumption of our produce, but we are not willing to pay for attractiveness or safeguards. The grumble is inconsistent. Now, take the hospital levy. What does it amount to? Our Road Board struck a farthing hospital rate last year, and very few persons were called on to pay over £1. Some were under Is, yet a road board with only a half-penny rate says the extra charge " paralyses local bodies' finance!" i Our hospital is practically as, cheaply worked as any other in the colony, notwithstanding that many persons had their expenses remitted either partially or altogether by local bodies, and somebody must pay. What is the extra levy for? To wipe off an overdraft, caused by extra unallowed-for expenditure, and the assurance of the chairman that when that is done the levy need not bo so big. And what is the infectious diseases hospital for, but in time of peace to be prepared for war? Ido not hold a brief for the- Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, or the Health Department, but as a farmer and a ratepayer and a New Zealander I protest against such unseemly agitations and meetings as we have been exhibiting. I am not averse to a good watch on our public finances, but when I see a large number of members of local public bodies meet together and heckle the members of another local public body, as was done yesterday, I feci sorry, Do those members of local bodies so quickly forget the criticisms on their own local actions by their own local public, and are they not prepared to credit other public men with some public spirit, good sense, and patriotism? Let us take a broad view of the matter; consider it is to our benefit to have a good public Health Department and appliances, good up-to-date hospital, with sufficient funds for emergencies, because we want health-seekers and pleasure and wonderseekers to come our way, and get the benefit of their presence. The cost to us is no more than a medical club would be, and might save us, if not our lives, larger suras of money._ and if we want benefits we should be willing to pay for them. Anyway, if we are to have meetings, let them be conducted on broad philanthropic lines, giving credit for good intentions unless we can clearly prove otherwise. And, finally, do not let us landholders and business men begrudge to provide hospital requirements gratis for our failures, who in many ways have no doubt benefited our country as pioneers in gum or bush or swamp. Do not let us be meanly selfish or proud because to-day we are fairly well-to-do and in good health—to-morrow, perhaps, "none so poor to do us reverence." I am, etc., Sam. A. Browne. Clevodon. May 9, 1903.