PARLIAMENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12941, 4 December 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 3. The Council met at 2.30. The Imprest Supply Bill was put through all stages. Leave of absence for the remainder of the session was granted to the Hon. Holmes, on account of ill-health. It was agreed that the Council sit on Monday afternoon next. In Committee of whole on the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill, discussion was resumed at the postponed clause 72, providing that Boards may make agreement- for special terms as to the maintenance in hospitals of members of friendly societies. The Hon. Collins took strong exception to the clause, which he said should not have been introduced into the Bill. He Dointed out that the medical profession* had not had an opportunity of considering the clause, which was one that was likely to disorganise the institution. The Hon. Mr Sinclair . agreed that the clause ought not to be retained. The Hon. Samuel objected to friendly societies or any other body being treated exceptionally • under this Bill. The Hon. G. J. Smith thought .if friendly societies wanted special advantages the question ought to be dealt with in a separate Bill, not in a general measure of this kind.

The Hon. Callan said there was not the slightest necessity for invoking legislation in favour of friendly societies.

The Hon. McGowan hoped they would not destroy a good Bill b- introducing such a clause as this one into it. The clause would mean the foisting of friendly societies' chronic cases on to hospitals and charitable institutions. / The Hon. Baldy considered the clause exceedingly unfair to doctors. The Hon. Dr. Findlay said at present more than a third of the members of friendly societies in hospital paid nothing at present. They were unable to pay, and this clause would procure payment for such patients. If the clause enabled arrangements to be made between friendly societies and the Board to pay something for every member in hospitals surely that was a good bargain. The Hon. Mr Sinclair said that so far from being a good bargain for the hispitals, it would be the very worst that could be made. It put the whole thing down on a money basis, which was contrary to the spirit of the Act.

The Hon. Paul could see no wrong in looking at the financial side of the arrangement. Tho clause would benefit the poorer classes. ' • - The Hon. Collins, to test the question, moved to delete" tne opening words of the clause. On a division, after further discussion, the clause was lost by 18 to- 23. A new clause Was inserted, on the motion of the Attortvey-Generalj providing for the union of hispital districts. The Bill was reported with amendments and read a "third time and passed. The Council then rose.