Conisboro’ Hospital Sunday – Labour M.P. Against Nationalising Hospitals.

August 1926

Mexborough & Swinton Times, August 6, 1926

Conisboro’ Hospital Sunday.
A Labour M.P. Against Nationalising Hospitals.

Postponed from Feast Sunday in the hope that the coal situation would have improved, the 36th Conisborough Hospital Sunday demonstration was held last Sunday in the Miners’ Welfare Field in Old Road, Conisborough. Favoured by glorious weather, there was a larger procession than usual, and it assembled at the top of Burcroft Hill. It consisted of the Conisborough Subscription Band, the Denaby Salvation Army Band, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, members of St. John Ambulance Brigades, Friendly Societies, R.A.O.B., Lodges, and Sunday Schools. At the field the Salvation Army Band accompanied the singing.

The chair was taken by Dr. W. J. McClure, who stated that though there were many other calls suffering must be alleviated.

Mr. W. A. Lewis, Chairman of the Montagu Hospital, gave many interesting figures to show the great work of the hospital.

Mr. G. H. Hirst, M.P., formerly a Conisborough resident, referred to the coal dispute, and expressed approval of the intervention of the bishop, whose suggestions were, in his opinion, the fairest yet placed before the miners. If hospitals were nationalised, the treatment could not be so expeditions; there was too much red tape. But if the voluntary system was to be maintained, contributions would have to be increased.

Mr. Lawrence Mears. Doncaster Royal Infirmary, stated that they were owing to the bank £7000 as a direct result of the coal dispute. The expenses of the institutions for the year ended Sept., 1925, had been £19,000, Conisborough had sent 55 patients, who had cost £290. He was pleased that Mr. Hirst did not advocate the Government taking over the hospitals. The voluntary system was just coming into its own.

Mr. b. Gethen, Fullerton Hospital, thought that any form of government which made no provision against sickness and suffering was not worthy of the name.

Coun. I. Webster proposed a vote of thanks, and Mr. D. Dale seconded.