WAS “A MOST SINFUL THING.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17882, 25 June 1926, Page 5

WAS “A MOST SINFUL THING.”

CLOSING OF HOSPITAL CAUSES PROTEST. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, June 25. A strong deputation from Otaki waited on the lion J. A. Young (Alinister of Health) to protest against the closing of the Otaki Hospital. The case was stated by seventeen speakers. Air Field, M.P., said that the people of the district were in deadly earnest. The hospital bad been in existence for about thirty years. Troubles' began when the hospital came under the control of the Palmerston North board. Instead of being reduced, the hospital should be extended. The proposal to close it was “ a most sinful thing.” Air C. F. Atmore, in describing the feeling in the district used the word “insurrection,” and said that the people would fight tooth and nail against the closing of the institution or the curtailing of its usefulness. Air G. 11. Monk, a member of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, said that it had’been promised that before any curtailment was made at Otaki provision would be made for an ambulance. This had not been done, and he described it as a deliberate breach of agreement. The Minister said that the speakers had not exhibited the hysteria which newspaper reports had led him to suppose existed in the district. He defended the Department against allegations of callousness, and denied that insrtuctions had been given for the. refusal of all sorts of cases. By breaking away from Wellington and coming under the control of Palmerston North district, the people had leaped out of the frying pan into the fire. He would deal with the matter sympathetically, but hoped it would be dealt with in the district. While his decision would not give all they wanted, it would make for a more satisfactory position.