THE HOSPITALS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143783, 6 May 1912, Page 3

THE HOSPITALS.

NATIONALISATION NOT DESIRED

“I don’t want to nationalise tho hospitals,” said tho Now South Wales Premier last week, when asked by a deputation from Dungog to grant tho local institution a special vote. Air. M’Gowcn was pointing out tho danger of discouraging charity when votes of Government money were too freely handed to these institutions. “It was,” he said, “most gratifying to sec tho splendid work which is carried out by committees and medical men in the interests of suffering humanity. Besides that, these hospitals, even in comparatively remote country parts, aro able to save life and alleviate suffering in cases which were not regarded as, possible a few years ago. Some of the Sydney medical men, actuated by tho highest of motives, give their services voluntarily in thousands of cases, and spend no end of time in assisting those who are not in a position to pay for the. skilled attention. “The broad fact, of course, is generally admitted, but tho real details as to tho extent of tire voluntary services arc not. It is the same thing in a degree in regard to tho committees of these hospitals. Business men gave not only thoir time to tho work, but their experience as well, which is vital to good management. In those circumstances 1 do not want to nationalise tho hospitals. I want to encourage the philanthropy and tho charity of tho public, I prefer to soo the liberality of tho public appealed to and encouraged than that tho State should step in and grant special votes, excepting, of course, in special circumstances.”