COST OF HOSPITALS

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1935, Page 13

COST OF HOSPITALS

NATIONAL INSURANCE FAVOURED. OPUNAKE FARMERS’ OPINIONS. The monthly meeting of the Opunake branch of the Farmers’ Union was held ofi Saturday evening. Mr. W. A. Sheat, who presided; welcomed Messrs. A. Adams and T. J. Mildenhall. Others present were Messrs. J. S. Tosland, J. F. Shepherd, F. and L. Young and J. Starck.

Mrs. J. O’Sullivan, secretary of the Women’s Division ball committee, wrote inviting members of the union to attend a meeting of the committee. Messrs. Starck, Shepherd and the secretary were appointed to attend, it being decided that the union would assist with the ball in every way. The .president reported on the South Taranaki annual conference at Hawera. Three remits from the Opunake branch Were carried unanimously.

Mr. Shepherd, a delegate,,, said the conference was the best yet held, and he had attended most of them. It was a field day for the Opunake branch. Its president was elected president of the South Taranaki Executive and Mr. <L S. Tosland was made a delegate to the Dominion conference.

The meeting congratulated Messrs. Sheat and Tosland on their appointments. Mr. Tosland, on behalf of Mr. R. Julian, moved that an open roots competition be held at an early date. This Was agreed to* Samples of hay and ensilage will also be accepted for the competition. Messrs. Julian, Tosland, F. Young and members of the executive were appointed a committee to make arrangements for the competition, £2 being voted towards the preliminary expenses. a circular letter was received from the provincial executive regarding a proposed national insurance scheme. The president explained that the circular was issued by the Dominion executive and the provincial executive had sent it on to the branches for discussion. The circular was discussed at some length. The chairman. Said a large proportion of the cost of’ the present administration of hospital# was due to those who could not pay. The rates as between the towhs and rural communities Were not equitable and it. Was contended that a national scheme, Could be evolved that would not cost 'any more than the present system but would be more equitable. He expected that some Of the political parties Would be advocating a national insurance scheme this year. .* Mr. Mildenhall said a national scheme was bbund to' come.

Mr. Alan said the present proposals were somewhat on the lines of the scheme adopted in Britain. The chairman said the present incidence of taxation was on sounder lines than the incidence either in England or in Australia. In the former country free hospitals depended on the charitable giving of the people. In Australia the finance was received from lotteries. In New Zealand it was recognised that the costs of hospitals should be borne by general taxation from all classes. 1

Mr. Shepherd believed that the lodge scheme was as cheap as any national scheme. -

Mr. Tosland moved that the branch favoured a national scheme of free hospital treatment for all, the cost to be borne by the Consolidated revenue and the rate to be on a flat national basis. Failing this, the branch, as an alternative, supported the national scheme outlined in the circular. Mr. Tosland said that when he first .attended th i Farmers’ Union conference as a delegate he advocated free hospital treatment on a ha-' tional basis, but he was looked upon as a Communist or some sort of a Socialist and was ruled out of order.

The chairman considered it would be better to finance the scheme, from the Consolidated Fund than through another form of taxation. They were burdened enough at present by the number of taxation forms they were required to fill in. No farmer could be' expected to send, in absolutely accurate forms when he had to fill in details ranging from the cabbages die grew in the garden to the milk he used on the table. In fact, he would be forced to keep a clerk. The chairman seconded Mr. Tosland’s proposal, which wa# carried unanimously.