HOSPITAL TREATMENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19698, 2 August 1938, Page 4

HOSPITAL TREATMENT

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES REPLY TO CRITICISM LODGE SECRETARY UPHELD Criticism of statements made at the last meeting of the Cook Hospital Board were heard at a meeting of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows Loyal Gisborne Lodge, 6087, last night, when a letter was received from the board stating that unless the lodge agreed to make a retrospective payment in. connection with the new hospital agreement members of the. lodge would be withdrawn from hospital benefits. The lodge agreed to the board's demand, but speakers took exception to certain remarks made concerning the lodge secretary, BrP. C. H. Ambridge, P.D.G.M., and also considered that tiie board's attitude was unfair in demanding the payment of the increased amounts from the beginning of the financial year after the board had stated that the old agreement would remain in force until after the election of the new board. The following motion was carried unanimously: "That this lodge agrees, under pressure from the Hospital Board, to pay from April 1 the higher rate of hospital levy of £1 a year for male members and 10s a year for female members, but maintains that the board's attitude in demanding a retrospective payment is unfair in view of the letter sent from the board under date of April 29 intimating that no alteration would be made in the agreement until after the election of fhe new board; that this lodge fully endorses the actions of its secretary in his endeavours to protect the interests of members and that the lodge has the utmost confidence in him; also that a copy of the resolution be sent to the Hospital Board for the information of those members who criticised the attitude adopted by the lodge secretary, who at all times was acting on instructions received from the lodge."