DIVIDED POWERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8739, 22 May 1914, Page 5

DIVIDED POWERS

SANITARY INSPECTION HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND HOSPITAL BOARD. Tiio unsatisfactory state of the present system fa connection with health inspection was emphasised at the meeting of the Hospital anti Charitable Aid Board yesterday. The opinion was generally expressed that the division of authority between tho Health Department and tho board was most unsatisfactory.

A letter was received from tho Makara County Council notifying the non-renewal of the appointment of the sanitary inspectors for the coming year. Air F. T. Moore (a member of tho Makara County Council, and also a member of the hoard) complained that the inspectors wore doing their work in a “stingless” manner. What tho Makara County Council wanted was more prosecutions, for there were many dirty people in tho district. Ho knew of some gross outrages on decency, and some premises were in a disgusting condition. Tho offenders should ho brought to book and exposed in tho court.

Tho chairman (the Rev. W. A.' Evans) pointed out that all the inspectors were supposed to do was. to report to tho Health Department, whoso duty it was to take action. Mr H. Baldwin complained that( tho board’s power was too small. The) inspectors who did their work wolll should not he blamed. Mr D. McLaren said that the whole system needed reforming. Tho local authorities overlapped one another. Pressure should bo brought to bear on tho Government so that one authority alone should deal with public health, and bo able to follow np offenders and punish them. Cases had been known when the Health Department palliated offences. (Voices: "Hoar, hear.”) He thought that the Inspectors did what they were empowered to do well, hut; tho whole system needed changing. A record was needed of how each case was followed up. Tho Board could only carry a case a certain distance. Mr B. R. Gardener said that complete statistics should bo kept of all infectious diseases. This was another point wherein tho board apparently did not have sufficient power. Cases had occurred in which young children had been left in an infected house until they caught tho disease and died.

Mr J. W. Moßwan said that . the Makara County Council should appoint its own inspector of nuisances, who could “sting” if the council wanted any “stinging” done. He had dealt with the health officers at Petone, and though the department was sometimes slow, it always did all in its power. Ho had found every satisfaction in his dealings with it.

The chairman said that the present divided authority would prevent them obtaining the desired end. The only way in which satisfactory results could bo obtained would be by having the authority to follow up offences vested in the board. No action was taken in the matter.