Cut in Canterbury Hospitals

Horowhenua Chronicle, 30 April 1931, Page 2

Cut in Canterbury Hospitals

IN PRIVILEGES AS WELL AS WAGES

CHRISTCHURCH, Last -Night. From May, the salaries of all employees of the North Canterbury Hospital Board will be reduced by 10 per cent. The fees for adult patients in the hospital will bo increased from 9/ to 12/ per day, and for maternity patients in country hospitals from 12/ to 15/ per day. Other increases in charges affect the venereal diseases clinic, which was previously free, but patients will now be required to pay 2/6 per visit. . ' ' After a long discussion, the report of the finance committee, incorporating these changes, was adopted by the board to-day. Considerable opposition was raised by Labour members, both to the reduction in salaries and the increase in fees. In assessing for the reduction of salary of those employees who are provided with quarters or who “live in,” account is to be taken of these privileges, and the 10 per cent, reduction is made in respect of this stun as well as cash payments. The value of “living in” is assessed at £i)2 a year, and the value of a free house is fixed at £IOO a year.