HOSPITALS CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13417, 3 July 1911, Page 8

HOSPITALS CONFERENCE.

(Per United Press Association). WELLINGTON, June 30 Sections 38 and 77 of the Hospital Institutions Act, governing the granting of Government subsidies, were condemned in stiong language at-the Health Conference to-day by the South Canterbury delegate, Mr Masiin. Section 38, it may be explained, provides for the payment of subsidies in “such sums as the Minister thinks sufficient ,” while section 77, where a Boaul fails to perform its duty or “ has done or intends to do any illegal act,” gives the Oovcrnor-in-Couneil power to recommend the Minister to withhold the whole, or any part of the subsidy,” and “to direct or otherwise the Inspector-General to do or cause to be done any act which the Board ought to do.” “This,” said Mr Masiin. pointing to the words “or intends to do,” “is one of the most iniquitous pieces of legislation ever embodied in the statute law. The Governor-in-Council was none other than their respected friend. Dr. Valintiue, the Inspector-General, and he was, the speaker assorted, invested with power which no man should possess. I don’t say,” he added, “that Dr. Valintinc will abuse his power, but I say most distinctly that when the door to abuse is open there is always a danger of abuse creeping in. Such powers as those possessed by the Inspector-General .should never be conferred on any officer of the Crown. I move, ‘That this Conference is of opinion that both sections referred to should bo expunged from the Statute Book.’” Dr. Valintiue, by way of explanation, said that Mr Maslin’s objection to the clauses quoted evidently arose over Ihe bolding up of a subsidy which in his (the speaker’s) opinion, and in the opinion of the Solicitor-General and the AuditorGeneral, the authorities wore not entitled to receive on a basis of 24s in the M. “At times,” ho said, “yon will find men, most respectable citizens, who in the conduct of their own affairs show the utmost integrity who, when it conics to a Government subsidy are not so prone to observe those little niceties which they most assuredly would in their own private businesses,” lie could point to what he referred by an actual illustration. A very well-known firm wrote to a Hospital Board intimating that it was prepared to supply goods to the Board at certain prices (full prices) and that if it was granted the cor.tract it would be prepared to make a, substantia! donation to the. Hospital funds. Mr Masiin; That was not South Canterbury. Dr. Valintiue: No, it was not. The firm re!erred to pointed out that the Board would get the Government subsidy on its suggested donation. “I say,” he concluded. "that the Minister .should have the power he possesses in order that cases tiki' this should be dealt with. (Hear, hear.) The Government is being beaten all along the line in regard to subsidies. I tried "to get at it, and I nnforunalely dropped on our, friends there. If my country secs lit to employ me to look after these matters, it is my duty to sec that the money is properly apportioned.” “But you make mistakes,” Mr Masiin suggested. “Of course I do,” Dr. Valintiue acquiesced. “I am not afraid to admit I have made mistakes. The wonder is that I have not made more.” Hie InspectorGeneral then made a lengthy explanation ooreeming some comparisons lie had instituted in his annual report between the New Plymouth Hospital and the Tiniani Hospital, to the detriment of the latter insl itution, and the annoyance of Mr Masiin.

The iroulh Canterbury delegate was not satisfied., and lie said he was anxious to put the facts of the ease before the Conference. A man had died in the district, leaving a widow and a largo family unprovided for. 'Die local residents collected a sum of <£2(JO for the family and handed it to the hospital authorities, whose duty, ho said, was to look after the afflicted. The money was accepted absolutely unconditionally, and the Board decided to buy a cottage for the widow. In that cottage she was living with her children to-day. Two years laier the Board was informed that it had acted illegally, and' retroactive action was introduced, and the subsidy was held up. After making further explanation, Mr Maslin concluded: -'.Dr, Valintine is an honourable man, and a strong man, but with powers such as limse referred to lie may become self-assertive and dogmatic, and the power he now hold i should lx taken away from him.” • Dr. Valintine said Iho subsidy was not. to he paid for any particular persons or persons. The trouble in this ease hinged on the difference between the ordinary subsidy of Tl and 245, and that was what tempted the South Canterbury Board off the correct path. - The motion was leist on being put to the Conference.

Dr. Valintine: “I hope I shall do my duty honourably by you, and not abuse wy authority.” The following 1 resolution was unanimously adopted by the Hospitals Conference today in respect of Dr. Valintinc’s scheme laid before the Conference yesterday for the medical inspection of school children; ‘‘That this Conference considers it advisable that some such scheme as that outlined by Dr. Yalinline should be adopted for. (he medical inspection of .school child rcn.” Other resolutions were adopted as under: " r J hat it is desirable that,a radium institute he established in some suitable place in die Dominion for the treatment of cancer and kindred diseases.” “'That the law be altered so that, country districts can elect representatives to a Board so long as those elected arc qualified by residence in any part of the Hospital district.” ‘‘That services of assistants in hospital dispensaries in the four large centres bo counted as qualification for obtaining their certificates as chemists.” ■‘That four skilled bacteriologists be appointed, one to each of five hospitals of the Dominion.” Tile Conference then concluded.