HOSPITAL CONTROL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3812, 23 September 1936, Page 5

HOSPITAL CONTROL

REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATION. HEALTH MINISTER’S ATTITUDE. Writing to Monday’s meeting of the Wlaipa County Council, the Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Health, in acknowledging receipt of representations made by the Council requesting an early review of hospital administration in the direction of relieving ratepayers of part or all of the contributions now made towards hospital expenditure, advised that the Government was desirous that there should be an equitable sharing of the cost of hospitals and charitable aid as between contributions from local rates and contributions from general taxes; that careful regard, however, must be paid to the division of administration, responsibility, and control in connection with hospitals and allied services; that it must also be recognised that the apportionment of contributions in respect of these services has to be considered in relation to the demands made on rates and taxes respectively in connection with other public services. The Minister pointed out that several measures already or shortly to be inaugurated by the Government would undoubtedly have the direct effect of relieving local rates and Of increasing the charges upon the consolidated fund in respect of social services. As an illustration he mentioned the extension of pensions benefits, including alterations in the rates and qualifying conditions of old age, widows’, miners’, and wai- pensions, and the introduction of pensions for invalids. He also stated that as the Council was probably aware an important question at present receiving the Government’s attention was that of national health insurance, and proposals in this connection were regarded as having a definite bearing on the matter of both local body and Government contributions for hospital purposes. An assurance was given that the representations made by the Council and other local authorities would receive earnest consideration. The Minister regretted, however, that he did not agree with the suggestion that ratepayers should be relieved of their fair share of hospital costs, and pointed out that the hospitals provided one of the cheapest services at the disposal of the people, and that New Zealand was fortunate in having one of the best hospital systems in the world. “ What does he mean by a fair share ? The present basis is by no means a fair share,” said Cr Onion. "Absolutely inequitable,” said Cr Fisher. “We are not justly taxed. We are not trying to avoid paying a fair share, and the Minister should be told that we object to his implication.” The speaker said the Minister of Health was like his fellow Ministers—warm in their claim for consideration for the “ under dog,” but he overlooked the fact that in doing so they imposed an unfair penalty on the people who had been thrifty. The latter had, usually, denied themselves, and now they were to be nenalised for that thriftiness.