THE KARITANE HOME.

Otago Witness, Issue 2921, 9 March 1910, Page 29

THE KARITANE HOME.

REQUEST FOR GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE. On Friday morning' the Society for Promoting the Health of Women and Childreiii met the Hon. J. B. Callan and Messrs J. F. Arnold, J. Allen, T. K. Sidey. and G. M. Thomson, M.P.'s, and asked theat: to advise and help in a money difficulty.

The position was stated as follows: —No money has been paid to the society bv the Government for the 1907-08 year. The sum of £SOO was placed on the Estimates for that year, and, though repeatedly applied for, was not paid, wherefore the vote has lapsed. Then, during the iasfc session £BOO was voted to be divided amongst the various branches of the society, and £SOO to the Karitane Home. This £SOO has not been paid, and of tha £BOO the sum of £2OO is not paid. After bearing: the statements, - the members resolved to send the following 1 telegram to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs: —"We woulJ urge you to nay the £SOO for Karitane Home before the 31st March, as society fears vote lapsing and money being lost to it, as in 1907. We also urge that the £2OO not yet allocated to branches ba allocated as suggested in society's letter. 31st January last, to Minister Public Health. We hope this will relieve the disappointment at lapsed vote previously referred to."

REPLY FROM GOVERNMENT. On Saturday Mr J. F. Arnold, M.P., received a reply from the Hon. Mr Buddo. Minister of Public Health, respecting th» request by the Karitane Home authorities* for monetary aid for the institution. Th« reply is as follows : "In reply to joint wire re a further allocation from the parliamentary vote of 1909 for the Society for the Health of Women and Children, T have to say that a total vote of £BOO was placed on the> Estimates to meet an uncertain change, oa •the basis of £SO for each Plunket nurse not employed by the various branches of th» society. This basis of allocation was asked for by deputation to the Prime Minister and myself, which deputation included several Otago members. The amounts, I understand, have now been paid over. Shall be pleased to place the society's claim for a further allocation before Cabinet for consideration. With regard to the vote of £SOO for Karitane Home, this amount will be paid as early as possible. As to tha reference to lapsed vote in 1907, I am onable to find any votes for that year. Negotiations for financial assistance seem to have been in progress at the close of that year, and the first payment was nade in May, 19C3. This being ir the new financial year, the amount had to be provided for on the Estimates of 1903-09. I am not aware that any vote had lapsed so far at the four large centres are concerned." The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward forwarded the following wire to Mr Arnold: " In reply to your telegram of 4th re votes for Karitane and Plunket nurses, the payments will be duly made. In any case, you are mistaken in the statement that the passing cf the 31st March would prevent payment and cause votes to lapsa. This is not so."

Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., received similar telegrams.