THE AGREEMENT

Northern Advocate, 14 February 1928, Page 4

THE AGREEMENT

HOSPITAL AND FRIENDLY

SOCIETIES

BOARD FORMULATES NEW

BASIS,

In view of general interest displayed by friendly' societies in* relationship with hospital boards, ’relative to concessions in return for guaranteed payment of fees, a discussion at yesterday's meeting of the Whangarei Hospital Board is of special interest.

The board had,entered into a tentative agreement with various lodges pending settlement of the percentage basis, not only of the concession, but also of the benefit membership of the individual lodges.

The and Wilsons’ Collieries Medical Society had agreed to accept the concession basis, and had in-' timated that, as deduction of hospital levies was compulsory, 100 per cent could be guaranteed upon the lasts.

That being so, and as some of the lodges had demurred about aeceptifag the board's offer of a 55—45 basis, provided that 75 per cent of total membership would figure on the hospital list, Mr J. A. S. Mac Kay moved at the meeting yesterday that the previous resolution of the board be rescinded, and that the offer from the Hikurangi miners to take advantage of the conditions as laid down by the board be accepted. They had given a fine guarantee, and it was evident that, under the previous resolution, they would suffer unless others came into the scheme on a similar footing.

Mr B. G. Hosking seconded and, as mover of the previous resolution, admitted that he had thought it would, appeal to all the lodges. However, as it had not done so, he was in favour of an arrangement being made with the ikiners' Society, and the motion approving it was duly carried.

Then the clerk, Mr J. H. Marwick, quoted a letter from the Hikurangi Rechabi'tes offering to accept the board's proposals. The Court Victory, A.0.F., Whangarei, also intimated that, as no finality had been reached, they were prepared to ask that an agreement on the 45 —55 concession basis, with a guarantee of 90 per cent full membership be granted. That body already had 98 per cent on the list. Acceptances of that offer was moved by Mr A. J. Murdoch, who contended that the board should deal wiith all offers on their merits and not differentiate between any societies prepared to guarantee 90 per csnt of total membership as participants in the special concessions mentioned. It was a basis, and any lodge complying with it would be accepted. During the interim before a definite policy could be laid down, said Mr D. A. McLean, the board had carried those lodges—which were other than Druids —’prepared to consider renewal of an agreement on a concession made on a 60—40 basis. At his suggestion, it was stressed that no such arrangement now existed and that the new arrangement with the Foresters was that in which all were able to participate if they so desired. »