The Thames Star. Resurrexi THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1901.

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9873, 21 February 1901, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1901.

PROVISION FOR. INEBKIA.TES.

A telegram from Chnstchr.rdi in another column gives resolutions oun'ied by the Hospital Board of that city. It is eveiy day becoming more evident that provision must be made for inebriates, and persons suft'eiing rom chronic and incurable diseases." it it a disgrace to our legislation that before thin a workable measure dcaliii.{r with the question has not been placed pi. thu Statute Book. Wp have pensions for our aged, and "pld aien's' homes" for the infirm, hospitals j'pr accidents and lover, but for incurable diseases we have so far no- adequate provision. The solution of the diiiicu ty lies in the hands of the Colonial 'i'rwisurer; it is simply a question ot money. Our local hospital trustees if given money could do all.the Chrislchurch Hospital Board . :i§ could every other Board in N§w: Zeal aiv.l That the sum required will be lyige is evident, and perhapß is the reason for the tardiness of the (jovornmoiit in moving. However, it is plai.i llw Hon. Mr Wurd is now attending to the matter, and is inviting suggestions from Hospital and Ciiat'itoble Aid Boards all over the colony. To secure funds for an additional ward to the Wellington Hospital a committee of lA.dies.hos taken the subject in lmnd, and probably a similar comse will bo adopted in other Jarge cities. The Government may be led <;p subsidise liberally local efforts. Under the .administration of already existing Hospital Boards no doubi ' the best results would be obtained either by having additional and special wardß attached! or homes ereotcd at or near the hospitals. Cases of epilepsy, and other forms of chvrm?e and incurable diseases cannot be. :«d' mitted in the ordinaiy liospicals, and $ Cl\mpiih\p Aid authorities , aesisfc/ gu,9ji caßeß Jt cap «nl^ b,e i« tUo ivvin

of "outside relief, and the unforturctto people thus become a permanent charge on the state, <md yet svre not adequately provided for. The sufferers cannot be allowed to die .in'neglect, for the honor-of our common humanity, 'and as the state must in sorao_ way provide for them, the question to be answered is how best cau that be attained. x