LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14478, 4 December 1909, Page 4

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

QUESTIONS ARISING OUT OF THE

ESTIMATES.

I'er Press Association.

WELLINGTON, Dec. 3

In the Council this afternoon the Imprest Supply Bill was put through all its stages. Leave, of absence for the remainder of the session was granted to the lion. Holmes, on account of ill-health. It was agreed that the Council sit on Monday afternoon next. The committee of the whole on the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill was resumed. At the postponed clause 72, providng that boards may make an agreement for special terms as to the maintenance in the hospitals of members of friendly societies, the Hon. Dr. Collins took strong exception to the clause, which he said should not have been introduced into the Bill. He pointed out that the medical profession had not had an opportunity of considering the clause, which was one that was likely to disorganise the institution.

The Hon. Sinclair agreed that the clause should be retained. The Hon. Samuel objected to friendly societies or any other body being treat, ed exceptionally under this Bill. The Hon. G. J. Smith thought if friendly societes wanted special advantages, the question ought to be dealt with in a separate Bill, not in a general measure of this kind.

The Hon. Callan said there was not the slightest necessity for invoking legislation in favour of friendly societes. The Hon. M'Gowan hoped he would not destroy a good Bill by introducing such a clause as this one into it. The clause would mean the foisting of friendly societies' chronic cases on to the hospitals and charitable institutions.

The Hon. Baldey considered the clause exceedingly unfair to doctors. Dr. Findlay said at present more than a third of the members of the friendly societies in hospitals paid nothing. At present they were unable to pay, and this clause would procure payment for such patients. If the clause enabled an arrangement to be made between friendly societies and the board to pay* something for every member in the hospitals, surely that was a good bargain. The Hon. Sinclair said so far from being a good bargain for the hospitals, it would be the very worst that could be made. It put the whole thing down on a money basis, which was contrary to the spirit of the Act. The Hon. Paul could see no wrong in looking at the financial side of the arrangement. The clause would benefit the poorer classes. The Hon. Dr. Collins, to test the question, moved to delete the opening words of the clause. On a division, after further discussion, the new clause was lost by 18 to 13. A new clause was inserted, on the motion of the Attorney-General, providing for the union of hospital districts. The Bill was reported with amendments, read a third time and passed. The Council then rose.