COLLECTION OF FEES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 104, 29 December 1939, Page 3

COLLECTION OF FEES

DISCUSSION AT MEETING

LETTER RECEIVED BY HOSPS-

TAL BOARD

A letter from a woman farmer dealing with the Board's policy in connection with the collecting of accounts caused lively discussion at the meeting of the Whakatane Hospital Board. Several members stress ed the need for it to be made clear that the board, while exercising m discretion in some cases, was determined to recover all outstanding fees. The letter read as follows: "To the Bay of Plenty Hospital Board. Gentlemen, Do you people realise the injustice and hardship you are indicting on the overburdened ratepayers by iyour failure to collect fees from people well able to meet tlicir obligations? Where is your justice and fairness in allowing women and children to toil in the cowsheds to pay hospital rates in order that hulking men who. have incurred debts to the hospital, can gorge themselves with beer, swill whisky and loaf around the billiard saloons You are well aware this is happening. Such conduct on your part is callous in the extreme. It appears you are taking the line oi the least resistance. It is easier for you to see a man or woman endeavouring to get a living out of the land sold up for non-payment of rates than see the person incurring the debt pays for what gets. You appear to be quite indifferent as to how tlie ratepayer is to find the money. Why do you not wake up Make every debtor come along with his employment card or tax returns, and make each one face their own obligations instead of flouting you and laughing at 3 r ou as they do, You would then command rcsjiect and be fulfilling your duties in a fair way-to all. In this waj r you would soon sort out the people in need of help and discover the shirker." Mrs A. McCracken said that she knew the writer who had had an employee who had boasted that he couldn't pay his account with the board. Instead he was spending his money in the hotels. The chairman .said that he couldn't agree with the writer and that the Hospital Board had taken all steps to recover money owing. "Yes. this person is making a direct charge and should not hr.ve written such an insinuating letter. The board ought to write back requesting particulars of the case quoted and prosecute if necessary" said Mr Buddie. "There is quite a lot of that sort of talk going about," said Mr MeGougan, 'and it should be made clear that we are "doing our best." Mr Schofield thought that the letter wa.s a reflection on the board and should not be received. Mr Sumner: "That is what I think," Mr Buddie: 'It ought to be made clear to the public, that although theie are cases where the board uses its discretion in collecting debts, where a person can pay an account he Avill be compelled to." "A statement should he made by the board" said Mr Sehoiiekl. Mr McGcugaa was of the opinion that the writer of the letter was a woman who wrote as she thought. "She is feeling the burden of things'' he said, "mid 1 don't think she meant to express herself c f uiLe so strongly." Mrs McCracken agreed wiiii this. Mr Suckling considered that the expressions used by the complainant were perhaps a little stronger than necessary but at the same time thought that she was right. "I can't agree with the .spirit of the letter." said Mr Sumner. "Jt is a reflection on the officers of the board as well as the board itself. In the past we have helped anyone where possible, either by giving them time or meeting them halfway. if avc were to summons every debtor Ave Avouhl be Avorse off." Mr Bu-Jdle suggested replying to the writer of the' of the JetteV i.n tne (fleet that -the board was taking