EPIDEMIC ACCOUNTS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9607, 12 May 1919, Page 4

EPIDEMIC ACCOUNTS

QUESTION OF PAYMENT;

The question of payment of accountscontracted during the influenza epidemic came under review at the Ashburton Hospital Board meeting to-day. The .chairman explained that the delay was entirely due to the Government. The board had complied in every detail with the instructions from the Minister. All the accounts were now in Wellington, and an early settlement could now be looked for. ,-Mr W. J. Dickie, M.P., state? that a, number of Methven people were anxious -regarding these payments. .Mr T. Doherty said the board had authority to pay small accounts up to £40. and the board should have paidthese amounts and obtained a refund from the .Government, and thus avoid aggregating delay. He considered jt was a positive disgrace to keep poor people: waiting for their money, ihcludinr two . charwomen in Methven., . The chairman said the whole mattery had been most troublesome, and' .the correspondence-,- conflicting. He never' expected the tradesmen would have" to wait so lone for their money. The .Health Department had been useless in this matter, and it was a disgrace the wav- the Department had sent a representative to the .tradesmen asking for discount.

Mr H. Friodlandor said the suddenness of,the epidemic, and no opportunity.'to organise, was responsible in a "jrreaif 'measure for the subsequent confusion. He considered the board".'haviu«- the 'Government guarantee that it would he responsible for the money, should have naid the tradesmen up to the limit allowed. It was too late now to alter the nosition, but an \irgent telecram should he sent to the Minister nskinc for immediate, payment 'of /the nrrounts.

Mr Dohcrtv said it was no use sendihf nnv commnnioations to the Health Department, as the latter was practically dead. They should pend the communication^ direct to the Minister.

Tt was then unanimously agreed to send an, urgent telegi-am to the Minister,