TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays WEDNESDAY, 9th FEBRUARY, 1949 HOSPITAL PROPOSALS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 78, Issue 7017, 9 February 1949, Page 6

TE AWAMUTU COURIER Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays WEDNESDAY, 9th FEBRUARY, 1949 HOSPITAL PROPOSALS

MANY months of negotiation between the Waikato Hospital Board and the Ministry of Health in Wellington have failed to advance proposals for the provision of public hospital facilities in Te Awamutu, and the Board now refers the question for report to the people through the various organised channels. Little is known of the detailed discussions that have been taking place, but to the extent of available information the Minister’s advisers seem to have set themselves against those who could better apply the principles of local government because of 'their better knowledge of local conditions and to have harshly interpreted public need from the Wellington central administrative office. On the occasion of her visit to Te Awamutu, the Minister, Mjiss Howard, indicated her unreadiness to heed views not supported by her Department, but it could have been hoped that a more realistic view would have been taken as discussion proceeded. At that stage an area in a suitable location was offered—as it still is—by the Borough Council for a general hospital, and a willing vendor had offered an additional area adjoining if required. The Department, however., had rejected the Board’s proposal to acquire additional land, and a stalemate arose. It was in such circumstances that Miss Howard came to Te Awamutu. Respecting her opinion and in deference to the wishes of her Department, the Board made another inspection of lands in the whole locality and decided that no equally suitable site could be found. ■ It can be recalled as a fact that the Board looked in every direction and gave weight to every consideration in reaffirming its earlier decision which had the backing of its own medical advisers. By this time, however, there was no longer a willing vendor—a change of circumstances brought about entirely by departmental delay and the adjustment of perfectly understandable owner-circumstances. It is at this stage that the most remarkable change-round in the departmental attitude seems to have occurred—a site hitherto refused on the grounds that it was either unsuitable or insufficient could now be acquired provided the purchase was concluded with a willing vendor. It suggests more of tactics than the consideration of hospital responsibilities—a department playing with a responsible Hospital Board without regard to the really important considerations of public interest. Both Board and Department are agreed on the provision of a maternity hospital. AMhat the Department will not allow is the provision—even in the future—of a general hospital. Never yet has any valid reason been given in support of the Department’s view, it being left broadly stated as a lack of priority. But surely it cannot be the function of administrative government to deny provision for the future even if priority at this moment is held to be lacking. By its own action at a time when the Board offered worthy advice the Department lost the opportunity of setting aside a site from a willing vendor, and its attitude Seems to perpetuate the folly and prejudice the future. The Board now turns to the people, who must, in their own way and in exercise of their unquestioned rights, judge the administration and call for action best reasoned to conform with public interest.