WELLINGTON HOSPITAL FEES.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 972, 13 March 1919, Page 6

WELLINGTON HOSPITAL FEES.

Another Big Sum "Written Off."" Hp HE way in. which some people earn— ing good wages report to the Wellington Hospital for- medical advice and treatment are allowed to shirk their responsibilities and evade payment of fees requires some • explanation; Tn no other city, in New Zealand is such a large amount "written off" in hospital fees in Wellington. It is only a few months ago/ since a sum of over £2000 was so wiped off by the Hospital Trustees, and; only ■ the other • day another and- even larger amount was. - , written off. How is it such large amounts are allowed to accumulate as. bad debts? No such huge amounts arewritten off in other, hospital districtsWhy, should it .be- otherwise in this city? * * * * No right-minded citizen would for one moment desire that the trustees, or the Hospital officials, should display any harshness in the forced collection of fees from persons who, through lack of employment or illness, are temporarily, unable to pay for the medical treatment they have received. But it. is notorious that many of the persons who go to the .Hospital for treatment and. who, incur liabilities in the way. of fees, are very well able to pay for those fees. These people should... not., be, allowed to trade upon the good nature and easy going tolerance of the trustees and the ratepayers: whom the trustees represent. If people can afford to waste money on luxuries they can, find money to pay their just debts. To allow these folk to wriggle .out of; an honourably in.curred obligation, is, simply *to encourage- idleness and extravagance. The election of. .new members of the Hospital Board _ will take place ;very shortly. It is to be hoped that the will ; take more interest, in tbat election than they have . done in snnilar elections, in -past years. . The Hospital Board. .stands. badly:, in need of some new blood, in need of., memr. bers who will' be courageous . enough to make the fee-shirkers toe the mark.