HOSPITAL PLAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23221, 15 December 1938, Page 20

HOSPITAL PLAN

COST OF REBUILDING LOCAL BODY ATTITUDE QUESTION OF INTERFERENCE Reluctance to interfere in thf affairs of another local body was expressed by members of the Devonport Borough Council last night, when a request was received from the Takapuna Borough Council to support a proposal that the Minister of Health should convene a conference of contributing local bodies to consider the large expenditure involved in the rebuilding plan of the Auckland Hospital Board. The opinion was expressed that the matter was one for the Suburban Local Bodies' Association. The question was an important one, said the Mayor, .Mr. H. F. W. Meikle, but lie would not bo a party to interfering with another local body in its work. He appreciated the fact that the Takapuna council was anxious to safeguard the finances of the ratepayers, but he pointed out that the Hospital Board was a democratically elected body and, if anything were done by the council, it should be undertaken in no carping manner. They should assist the Hospital Board in every possible way in meeting a difficult problem. Everyone would agree that alterations to the hospital were duo and some expenditure must be made. "I think the Takapuna council is actuated by the best motives, but an alteration to the methods they advocate might be suggested," stated Mr. E. Aldridge. "They are vitaily concerned—as we are concerned —with such large projects as the metropolitan airport, the park in the Waitakeres, the drainage scheme and now the hospital re-building. However, it is not within our province to suggest that there should be an outside conference to advise the Hospital Board." Mr. J. Hislop said it was not the function of any local body to call such an important organisation as the Hovpital Board before a special tribunal to question its authority. "The chairman of the Hospital Board, Mr. Allan J. Moody, is acting in the best interests of everyone, and he has given a full outline of the proposals, which he suggests should be spread over 15 years," said Mr. T. C. Hobbs-Jones.

The council decided to suggest that the question should be referred to the Suburban Local Bodies' Association, instead of pursuing the course advocated by the Takapuna council.