HOSPITAL FEES.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1920, Page 7

HOSPITAL FEES.

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' RATES. NO REDUCTION POSSIBLE. The rise in the hospital fees to Friendly Societies, following on the general increase to the public of from 7s 6d to 9a Cd per day, formed the subject of a request to the Taranaki Hospital Board yesterday by a deputation from the Taranaki Friendly Societies' Hospital Association (Messrs, A. J. Tunbridge and H. R. Catley). The association's' representatives asked the board to give them some concession in the matter of the rise, pointing out that the financial position of the Association was not very sound. Their membership was 5000, but only 2000 contributed to the hospital branch, which was entirely voluntary. They contended that they had always done their best for ,|he board, and also had to thank the board for assistance. Mr. 6. Young said the finance committee had gone into the question very thoroughly, but if they granted further concessions the Board might find itself in difficulties. The Board was grateful for the assistance the Association had given, and would like to meet their wishes, but if a reduced vote was made the difference would have to be a charge on the ratepayers, and the Board must be guided by fair principles. Mr. Tunbridge said there was a possibility that the Association might have to disband if their, levy on members was increased greatly. The chairman (Mr. M. Fraser) expressed the opinion that 14s per year was a very low sum to charge the members of the Association as levy. Mr. Cattley said he did not think the members would be willing to pay more.

The chairman took the view that when the Hospital Board's charge was 6a per day (5a net) there was scarcely any inducement for people to join the Friendly Societies' Association, because the board's charge was low, but when the fee became 9s fid the possibility was that many more would come in to get cheaper rates. If the Board made big concessions this would re-act on their finances.

Mr. Cattley said they intended to put before the annual meeting, to be held shortly, the question of raising the levy. This was in order to meet the existing liability to the Board of £4OO, but he doubted whether the members would sanction any further rise. The secretary of the board (Mr. Hoiden (.acknowledged the assistance received from the society in collecting moneys, which otherwise might not have been obtained.. The chairman inquired what reduction the association desired. Mr. Tunbridge said that Mr. Young's suggestion would meet the case, namely, to leave the rate at 4s 6d till the association reduced their present liabilitv of £4OO. In reply to further enquiries, the deputation said three months' grace would suffice. Their annual, meeting would then t\> over and the levy decided. The Board subsequently resolved to inform the Association that they could not see their way to reduce the charges, but would review the situation after the association's annual meeting.