HOSPITAL BOARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19802, 18 May 1934, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD

TEMUKA CRITICISM i -J ALLEGED PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT Preferential treatment by the South Canterbury Hospital Board was alleged by the Mayor of Temuka (Mr A. W. Buzan) when replying at the meeting of the Temuka Borough Council to criticism by Mr G. Dash, of his recent condemnation of the Board’s refusal to supply blankets for urgent distress cases in Temuka. The Mayor said he had received from Mr Dash a letter repudiating his state,Jment that although the Temuka borough had contributed more than £BOO to the Board’s funds, it had received nothing in return beyond a few private cases which the Board had itself investigated. Mr Dash had emphasised the - fact that the cost of the Temuka Maternity Home had been £9lO while the Board had also granted Temuka further relief amounting to £1143. Therefore the writer considered the outburst unwarranted and desired a public correction. “My remarks,” said the Mayor, “were not directed at the general administration of the Board, as no one admires it more than myself, but entirely on account of the Board's attitude to my appeal for blankets. Two years ago my appeal for £SO was also rejected, yet preferential treatment has been going on for the last three years. The Timaru Relief Society has received grants and the Board has this year voted £SOO to the Society, which is absolutely unI fair. If the Board cannot assist us who is going to, as this Council has neither money nor power to allocate for the relief of distress. It is apparent that so long as citizens continue to organise relief as they are doing, the proper authorities will evade responsibility.” Cr. P. Lynch asked whether the Board as a whole had taken exception to the Mayor’s statement. The Mayor: Mr Dash brought the matter before the Board on Tuesday. I see I was criticised, but I received his letter some time ago. It is a red-her-ring without doubt, as I was not dealing with the general policy of the Board at all. The Mayor stated he would like to emphasise the fact that wires were being pulled In Timaru to legalise the grant of £SOO, and that it was intended ! 1 to raise a further £ISOO by levies on ' local bodies. The whole thing was ’ drastically unfair.