UNPAID HOSPITAL MAINTENANCE FEES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21242, 24 January 1931, Page 12

UNPAID HOSPITAL MAINTENANCE FEES.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Your correspondent, “Ratepayer,” deserves the thanks of ail fanners for his informative letters concerning unpaid hospital maintenance fees anu concessions granted to friendly societies. The position regarding these concessions is somewhat obscure. A few weeks ago a deputation waited on the Tuapeka County Council, and during a discussion the chairman (Cr McLennan), w’ho is also our representative on the Otago Hospital Board, when referring to your correspondent a letter, quite definitely stated that no concessions whatsoever were granted to members of friendly societies. Can you. Sir, clarify the position? This year the .Tuapeka county ratepayers will contribute £4300 (one-third of the total rates) to the Otago Hospital Board. Will Cr M'Lennan, in the interests of his ratepayers, publish the total amount (last year’s figures) of charitable aid paid to Tuapeka county residents and the total amount (last year’s figures) of unpaid hospital fees owing by Tuapeka county patients? It is believed that, if this information were published, the farmers would fully realise how unfairly they are being taxed for hospital and charitable air requirements. After all, the man that foots the bill is surely entitled to know what he is paying for.—l am, etc., R. S. Thompson. Wetherstones, January 23, [We understand that an arrangement exists between the Otago Hospital Board and the Otago United Friendly Societies’ Council under which members of friendly societies are treated in hospital upon terms prescribed by the Iloepit'il Boards’ Association.—Ed. O.D.T.]