SUPPORT FOR RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19891, 9 March 1928, Page 10

SUPPORT FOR RAILWAYS.

HOSPITAL BOARD'S RESOLVE.

COST OF NATIVE PATIENTS.

[by TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON, Thursday.

Tho Waikato Hospital JBoard met to day, Mr. Campbell Johnstone presiding. It was decided that goods required for the Waikato Hospital should bo transported from Auckland by rail, instead of by motor lorry. The chairman said that while no doubt a saving was effected by the present method, the question for the board was whether a public institution such as the hospital should not use the railways. The decision was unanimous. Mr. J. Price pointed out that as the board was in the position of having no works in the outlying districts on whicn relief men could be employed, it 10ceived nothing in return for tho money it paid out in charitable aid. He thougui the board, in framing its next estimates, should consider placing the distribution of this relief in the hands of local bodies. The secretary was asked to supply a return of all tho relief granted to the unemployed. Disappointment was expressed by the chairman when an offer of £125 was received from tho Public Works Department as a subsidy in connection with the medical treatment given by the board to tho employees at tho Arapuni works. The Director-General of Health, Dr. T. H. A. Valintine, wrote thanking the board for its generous action in taking over the treatment of patients and the payment of the district nurse's salary. The Health Department, however, could not make any special grant toward the cost of the nurse's salary. It was decided to inform the Director-General of Health and the Minister of Public Works, Hon. K. S. Williams, that the board was disappointed with the lack of generosity displayed by the Government, and to review the position in three months' time. Two accounts for £B. and another for £7, were received by the board for train fares for indigent natives transported from their homes to the Waikato Hospital. The accounts were accompanied by a letter from the Health Department to the effect that the charge was one payable by the board. A letter was also received from the Valuer General pointing out that the rate struck over the European ratable lands was sufficient to cover the hospital levy and the department's charges. The chairman characterised this attempt to force payment of these accounts as an imposition. It was most unjust to make the European settlers pav through their hospital rate for the transport, treatment and burial of indigent natives. It was decided to make a strong protest to the Government on the matter, and to refuse to pay the accounts.