LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4748, 19 July 1883, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wednesday, July 18. The Council met at 2.30 p.m., but immediately adjourned, there being no business. HOUSE OF BBPBSSENIATIVES. Wbdnebdat, Jult 18. AFISRNOON SITTING. The House met at 2.30 p m. HOSPITALS AND OHABITABIB AID. Mr Button moved— "That it is neoessary that permanent provision be made for the ereotioa and maintenance of hoipitals ; that provision be made for the election of local Boards of Governors, who shall have the entiro control of the hospitals and hospital buildings, and >h&U be empowered to invest any funds which may be plaoed at their disposal for the benefit of their looal trust; that the Board shall be entirely independent of Government control, except as regards medical inspectun ; that the neoessary funds for either building or maintenance be provided locally | that Government be requested to bring in a Bill this session in aooordance with the above." Hawke's Bay was quito willing to aocept this responsibility, if other places did the tame. The Hon W. Bollbston said*' that the mov»r of the amendment should be more explicit as to the mode in whioh his proposal should be worked out. The administration of Grown lands was surrounded by a large amount of preliminary expenses, such os the making of roads, &c, and after these were defrayed but very little would be left for tho purposes proposed. If the State meant to say we shall make a contribution of bo much per year for this purpose, then let them do it without reference to such modes of endowment. There was too much of their land already reserved and plaoed outßide the control of Government. There could ha no objeot in setting a»ido particular pieces of laud for this purpose. * Mr H. Thomson explained that under provincial administration the charitable aid funds of Canterbury went as high as £10,000 a year, and in that way people in tho provinoial districts gob into the way of looking to Government to make provision in this respect, and to demand it as right. He believed, however, that a better state of things was about to be inaugurated in Ohristohuroh. The Benevolent Society was debiting the j question of taking over these charitable aids, although, in the first instance, they were deterred by the enormous sum required for the firat year's operations. He believed that a great many, fully one-half of those now getting aid, were not entitled to it. If Government would in the first instance give the Sooiety £2 for £1, money would be actually Bayed, and after the firßt year the ordinary subsidy would Buffioe. In the meantime, he believed that Government would have to retain control of their hospitals. He looked upon the amendment as a mistake, and would rather support the j resolution, believing that ere long they would j be able to do their own work without having reoourße to either. The debate was interrupted by the 530 adjourament.