HOSPITAL BOARDS’ CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1931, Page 4

HOSPITAL BOARDS’ CONFERENCE

The discussion that has arisen over the proposed conference of Hospital Boards next February is very timely. It raises the question of economical administration among local bodies, a question to which a reply has been long overdue. The Government has promised an inquiry, but seems in no hurry to begin what is, no doubt, a somewhat invidious task. No one questions the sincerity and the public spirit that lead to membership of local governing bodies, but there is very grave doubt whether a good deal of individual effort and of public money is not wasted in too wide a diffusion of local government. The- proposed conference is a case in point. Its cost will run into some hundreds of pounds, which must come out of the public purse. Taxpayers are being so heavily pressed to keep the national accounts square that they have the right, or rather it is their imperative duty, to see that every pound is spent upon work that is essential. If the Hospital Boards’ Association considers the expense of a conference can be justified it should indicate plainly in what manner and show why any less expensive method of arriving at conclusions is likely to be less effective than by means of a gathering of representatives. It must be remembered that the proposed delegates are principally laymen. It is not like a gathering of experts at which the results of research and experiment in various circumstances can be compared and a common policy for future action decided upon. Even for such a decision it remains to be shown why a general meeting of the association is likely to do better work than can be performed by its executive at much smaller cost. The truth is that the hospital control system is one that needs an overhaul in common with other forms of local government. Modern methods of transport have revolutionised the national requirements in the way of hospitals and have greatly reduced the need for the smaller institutions. It seems unlikely that the proposed conference would tackle this, the most serious, problem in connection with hospital control. Until it has been solved a reduction in costs of administration will be difficult to bring about. Upon this and the other matters it was intended the conference should handle the public is entitled to a good deal more information than it has been given. Unless it is forthcoming the contention must stand that the proposed conference is an expensive undertaking, which will not be worth its cost to the taxpayer.