PROPOSED HEALTH BILL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15317, 13 September 1920, Page 5

PROPOSED HEALTH BILL.

Tho adjourned conference m connection i^rith the discussion of the proposed Health Bill was held to-day m the Coini-c-il Chambers, when the chairman, of the Waikohu County Council (Mr C. H, Bridge) presided over the following attendance: Messrs H. Kenway, G. Wildish, K. Johnston, C. S. Bruce, G. E. Ashton, H. DeCosta, R. D. B, Robinson, J. G. Appleton, /Q. W. Humphreys, J. McDonald/ W. J. McCliskie, and L. B.Tul-i lock. * I

Tho following letter was read from the Minister of Public Health at Wellington': — "In reply to your telegram re Health Bill. Board of Health will meet Wellington; ten, members, three of whom are selected by local bodies; Counties' Association select one. Districts are not defined. *m Bill, but power is given to modify districts as may be advisable; for example Motuhora can ■ be added to Coast 'district... Each County. Council will control the county and will have powers of control, but may obtain assistance as regards sanitary inspection by contributing towards salary and expenses of a departmental officers, a comparatively small annual sum. This is already being done m Waikato attd Taranaki for the sum of £20 per year to complete satisfaction of the County Cbimcil." . - Tho Cook County Council forwarded the following letter:— "With : reference to the adjourned conference re . tho new Public Health Bill, I Jiave to state 1 that m view of the reply received from the Health Department stating definitely that the Waitaki Hospital Board's" proposals cannot bo adopted, this Council cannot see its way to alter, its 'decision approving of the general principles of the Bill, and, therefore does notl wish to pursue the matter further. Should the conference decide to support the Waitaki Hospital Board's' resolution m .reference to the -Government's proposals, the name of this Council must " be 'omitted from the list of local bbflies concerned m that decision; I have : to respectfully suggest, however, that the conference pass a resolution urging the Minister of Public Health to establish a separate health, district for . fhe East Coast with ■•■ head- 1 quarters at Gisborne. This Council is willing .to join in\ any such representations as it had already moved, m this direction prior to the calling of the conference. The Department's reply indicates that they recognise the necessity for such a new Health District, 'but are inclined to dejay the matter.— Yours faith-fully,-Chaa. Matthews, Chairman, Copk County Qouncil." ■ ~ ' On -behalf -of the chairman of the uawa County Council,- the Cook County secretary wrote: "The chairman of the Uawa County Council rang me this mornins an<l asked me to inforam you that his Council 'could not he rppresonted at the conference. • Ho al?o roquestod me to state that the Uawa Council was takingthe samo action as lUe CooJ< County Counrtt tn the matter of the now Health Bill: They wished to join m any request, That may be made as regards urging the Government to -establish' a separate health district, for .the East Coast with Gisborne as a centre".-;- ■ Mr. C. H: Brkljre said tho matter was an important one. And these matters should be carried out without fear Or fnvor, ami no one rould do that bettei' than Hie Public Hen lth officers. He moved that tho Waitaki Hoards resolutions ho supported, and that a recommendation be made that a separate health district be^ made for Oisborne, instead of it being subsidiary to Napter. as at present. Mr. Wildish seconded the motion,, and said ihnt Ihe matter .- was' now clearly placed before the mombors. Under the circumstances, he thbujflit it better to suppov: the Waitaki Borfrd's resolution. Mr. H. tvon way said thM. tho Hospital Hoard had met since the. last niectinisr of tho. conference, and after considering the matter .decided as follows: "This Board \soes no serious objection to thr proposed lecislation, provldpd oaoh health' d'strict is allotted a local Board of He.ilth subsidiary to the -'Central Board, cioThon" with \ considerable executive powers In. order to avoid dangerous and vexatious delay. -Jt is rocomm^nde'V that Ihe pr 6-,

sent Hospital Boards be Uie--lftpf»l .noarcf? of Health under the new legislation.. Past experience teaches that immortiate control: is of vital necessity m nil cases of public health." The chairman of tyc Wniapu County Council had indicated to hin\ hhe» c support of the resolution passed by the, Hospital Board. •

Mr. MeCliskio said the Mangnpnpa Town { Board whon considering . the* inftttet 1 . tended to support the contention nut forward .by the Cook Hospital Board, so as to nuihorisp. immediate notion- in case of necessity. The Bnn rd opposed the pii^srrstion to 'transfer the Board's authority to Wellington . • Mr. Bridge said Ihe local bodies were Invited by tho. Government to consider] tlio Bill and make suggestions. ' Mr. G. W. Humphreys did not belilvo m appointing a special boaTd. as ,he thought that the Hosrii'al Board shbuid hnvo povvors of control. . Mr. Kenway said tnnf four local bodies were . supporting provisionally the Government's proTjosals. He wished to move as an amendment, "That this conference sees no serious objection io the proposed legislation, providing oach local health district is allotted a "local health board subsidiary to tho central board, clothed with considerable' executive powers m order to avoifl vexatious delays; it Is-re-commended that "the present Hoard, bo the looaf board of health undert tho now legislation.". , H DfOpsta seconded tho amendment, and referred to the vexations delay when referring matters to Welling--

I ton— par'iculavly Government officials. I Mr. G. Wildish suggested that m voti ing on the proposals each body should be allowed one vote each, instead, o( (Tie members voting individually. ,' . The' chairman ruled; that, each reiyresentative pVesent should vote, frrespective of Ihe number present representing different bodies.. i Mr. Humphreys said ho thought t.h*. ' Mayor's sugsestion as to taking tnc vote was the better way. He did not tlvlnk that it was much' use .putting the orlg-. inal motion to tho conference, as the /Government had that it could not be 'entertained; , % : '\' r The chairman: Tho promciers of the Bill are invit'n» s,vig{festions. Mr. McCliskle said 4ic ctid "not see much difference between the motion arid the amendment. Mr. Kenyray suggested -that ns' unanimity was ''required m a matter of the kind, and that the conference was fairly evenly divided, each hody represented send' its Individual opinions direct to th'e Health Department, as the Cook County Council^ Uawa. arid two oihe-r bodies had done. ' - • • Mr. • Wildish also favored the suggestion, j * Mr, . Bridge sounded a note of warrH injr that local bod ie.<? should watch tljat , they wore not overloaded with respohsi* hilUles m addition ; to the upkeep of roads and . ; bridges, f i Mr. Konway suggested the withdrawa 1 -or the motion and amendment, and the passing of a resolution suggesting that each body send' r its opinion on the question to the Department. j The motion and amendment were then • withdrawn; arid Mr. Kenway;s later motion was carried.

Mr. McCliskle said It Was a "pity the. conference could 'not reach a definite decision. He thoiight that a slight modlfl-

cation of the 'amendment ' would meet with general approval. Mr. Tfenway safd he would not undertake to alter his amendment m. any; way.' ' ' ; . ■' ■ ■ ■■; . . • '.. '■' It was Ultimately de'oWecl tliat .ear.h body fond .its - decision to 'WellingtoVi Independently. : ' ■ ■ ' •

A vote ojT thanks to the chairman con cludfcd tho meeting. . '