HOSPITAL FEES

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1922, Page 5

HOSPITAL FEES

POSITION OF FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

"VICIOUS SYSTEM OF REDUC-

TIONS. "

A letter protestinpf against any increase of rates in hospital charges was received at yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Hospital Board from the Independent Order of Oddfellows, which, it was explained, had entered into an agreement with the board to pay accounts incurred by its members to the extent of two-thirds of the total.

Mr. J. W. Butler expressed the opinion that the matter should be referred to the Finance Committee, which should go more fully into it. The Order was simply marking time at present in regard to fees until the matter was finally adjusted '..-..

The Eev. H. Van Staveren said that the board had entered into an arrangement with the Order to accept twothirds of the usual rates for a period of eighteen months. They could not, in honour and truth, go back on that agreement now. (Hear, hear.)

The Chairman (Mr. F. Castle) said that the Finance and Policy Committee had referred the • matter, to him. He would not favour any increase at present;, the agreement had been for eighteen months. The Auckland board had entered into an agreement with a similar body, but was still receiving a percentage of the old rates. , It had not been the intention of the local board to raise the fees, and members could leave the matter with him. . '

The Rev. Dr. Kennedy Elliott said he was opposed to reductions for any societies. He did not think that the board should show any partiality to any class. "I know you have already decided the matter," said Dr. Elliott, "but I may say I am totally opposed to the idea. The system is a very vicious one."

Mr. C. H. Chapman said that he was afraid the last speaker had rather let his ideas run away with him. The lowering of charges to such societies was a direct incentive to thrift, and thrift was to be encouraged more than anything else at the ; present time. It was the duty of every, citizen to save money to support him in cases of sickness or when he was too old to work, and this was what the friendly societies encouraged people to do. They would at least be sure of receiving two-thirds of their fees from friendly societies, whereas from the general public they received 2s in the £1.

The matter was left in the hands of the chairman.