HOSPITAL FEES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 229, 27 August 1929, Page 2

HOSPITAL FEES

SMALL AMOUNT PAID BY MAORIS BURDEN ON THE BOARDS. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, Aug. 26. The problem of unpaid native rates and the consequent heavy burden on hospital boards in Maori districts was discussed at a conference of delegates of fourteen hospital boards at Hamilton to-day, when the following resolution was passed: “That seeing the welfare of the Maoris is a Dominion affair, the Government be urged to pay to those hospital boards which give treatment to Maoris, from whom onlv small payments are obtained, the difference between the percentage of fees- collected from Maoris and the percentage collected from Europeans in each district.”

A representative deputation was appointed to co-operate with the executive of the Hospital Boards’ Association in waiting on the Premier and the Minister of Health.

Mr W. Waliace (chairman of the Auckland Board) presided, and the other boards represented were: Hokianga, Taranaki, Wliangaroa, Bay of Islands, Waikato, Kaipara, Mangonui, Wairoa, Opotiki. Whakatane, Tauranga, Thames and Taumarunui. Mr Campbell Johnstone (Waikato) said that the boards represented had 52,625 Maoris out of the Dominion’s total of 65,693. In the Waikato in the last two years, they had incurred fees totalling £5072, of which only £428, or 8.4 per cent, was recovered. Mr T. Houston (Mangonui) considered it unfair for hospital figures to be based on the New Zealand population as there were so few natives in the South Island. In his district, the natives paid only 3 per cent, of their fees. At one time, the natives never went near the hospitals, hut the position had been reversed now. Europeans paid between 50 and 60 per cent, of the foes due, which showed that ..the natives were not attempting to pay. Many natives in the district were obtaining family allowances and other benefits and were well-to-do, yet they refused to pay their rates. The best solution, was an increased subsidy. Mr T. Davey (Wairoa) remarked that many natives boasted motor ears and motor cycies, but paid nothing towards hospital expenses and services. Maternity nurses were also being used by the natives, who made no contributions towards the cost. Mr J. A. Young, late Minister of Health, said that the problem had only lately become serious as the Maoris were gradually learning to place confidence in the public hospitals. He suggested that part of the pavments to Maoris as compensation tor confiscated lands be set aside as an endowment for indigent Maoris. Mr Wallace pointed out that the remarks regarding people with motors not paying hospital fees applied to pakehas as well as Maoris. He considered that the Maoris had never been so indigent as now. After the resolution had been passed, as mentioned, Mr Miller claimed that the natives should not be blamed entirely when they were unable to get Government advances for farming as the whites could. He moved a resolution in favour of prompt measures to enable natives to individualise thentitles to land. This was rejected as apart from the main purpose.