HOSPITAL FEES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 June 1924, Page 13

HOSPITAL FEES.

FOR FRIENDLY SOCIETY PATIENTS. POSITION IN WANGANUI. One of the recommendations of the executive committee presented to the Wanganui Hospital Board at its meeting yesterday dealt with the matter of fees for the members of the Uuited Friendly Societies. The committee recommended a further reduction of charge for hospital maintenance to 4s and 2s, and that the £3OO now due must be liquidated by instalments. The chairman was strongly opposed to the recommendation, considering that it was not fair. He went on to say that the deputation from the socity which waited upon the committee presented little ’ data and no balancesheets.

Mr. Rogers remarked that the organisation had paid over £3OO The chairman: Over what period? Mr. Rogers: Over a year.

The chairman: Considerably over a year. He went on to say that be had as much sympathy with the workers as anyone, but he thought the recommendation was wrong. If one section of the community received a reduction, the same fee should he charged to the others.

Mr. Rogers pointed out that the society was an organised body that was endeavouring to pay the fees. In answer to Mr. Rogers, the secretary said the society had been debited with £770. the discount was £430. and they had paid £339 for the year ending March 31, At March 31, 1924, they still owed £373. Mr. Rogers said it did not cost the hoard anything to collect those fees, whereas it did with the collection of fees of other patients. Mr. Coleman stated that a prominent member of a lodge remarked that if all the members paid their subscriptions there would he sufficient and more to nay the hospital account. He would like to see the matter further considered before deciding. To Mr. Spriggens: The member was not in this district

Mr. Spriggens urged that the Board should he humane and do something for these men, many of whom were ratepayers of the Borough. The Council’s lew this year was about £CM)O. and these men paid a direct rate to the Council and indirect to the Board through the Society. Mr. Halligan said the subscription was 2s Gd per Quarter. It was not compulsory, and those who did not pay received no benefit.

Ik was decided to adjourn the discussion in order to meet again the delegates from the friendly'societies' Herald.