SALES OF WEDDING RINGS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19098, 20 August 1936, Page 4

SALES OF WEDDING RINGS

PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS ANSWER. TO CRITICISM GOOD RESULTS HOPED (Par Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Criticism by members of hospital boards of his recent question in the House of Representatives concerning the disposal of wedding rings of certain married women dying in hospitals was answered by Dr. JJ. G. McMillan, the Labour member for Dunedn West, yesterday.

“It appears from the ire that has been raised by my question that .the truth is very unpalatable to some people, Dr. McMillan said in an interview. _ “If some of those who hive been most ready with their invective had .stopped, to make a. few inquiries, they Would have realised the wisdom of avoiding those places where aiigels fear to tread. “Anyone who knows anything about hospital administration, knows that the [wedding rings of those women who are unfortunate enough to die ‘alone’ in a hospital are usually sold by tlie boards in question.” Dr. ..McMillan quoted, an extract, from a daily newspaper which showed that an item on the agenda paper at a recent meeting' of : a certain hospital board I was: “Assortment of jewellery and sundries sold for £93.” The secretary of the board bad stated that the bulk of the jewellery consisted of old wedding rings.

“I did not name any boards m.my question because the practice is fairly general, and because the reason for it is thoughtlessness, not greed,” . Dr. McMillan added. “Anyway those to. whom the question does not apply will realise it. I was not concerned as to how it came about that rings were sold. _ 1 j knew that, but as. a woman’s -wedding ring lias such a sentimental attachment for her, I did think it was worth an effort to ensure that the ring was buried with her. It is probable that the. publicity that has been given to the matter I will have the desired effect.”