HOSPITAL TREATMENT

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 58, 9 March 1928, Page 10

HOSPITAL TREATMENT

FKIENDLY SOCIETY MEMBERS (By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") PALMEKSTON., This Day. A conference of. the executive'of the "Hospital Baords' Association and , representatives of Friendly Societies of New Zealand was held in Christchurch recently in an endeavour to formulate terms, of: an. agreement that might be adopted in all districts, whereby Friendly Society patients might secure concessions.. One -of the' recommendations was a reduction in fees to half, but when the draft agreement came before tho Palinerston North Hospital Board yesterday objection, was taken to any reduction being made below the onethird allowed at the present time. Mr. J._ K. Hornblow moved that disapproval be minuted. •He considered that concessions should not be made to anybody. It was well known that all people who were in indigent circumstances could go to the hospital and no pressure would be put on them as regards their fees. By making the concessions suggested, the board would be opening the way for other bodies to ask for the same thing. While he admired the spirit of those who contributed to Friendly Societies to ensure against times of -ill-health, there were numbers among them who were capable of paying the full hospitalfee. Every case, he thought, should be treated on its merits. ':'..-' Mr. Or. A. Monk seconded the motion, which was carried.