[?] Zealand's Extraordinary Attitude to

[?] Islands Residents Seeking Medical Aid

cases have recently come to i notice of PIM concerning 1 known and respected ts oi the Pacific Islands—one ahiti' and one from Tonga— ve been required by the New I Government to lodge large f money before being per to enter the Dominion for , treatment. demands appear to be de fco prevent non-residents be a charge upon the State; ly be related in some way fact that New Zealand is, m minor way, a welfare State, ig free medical services, lenefits and a high rate of to its residents. The net n the two cases dealt with

e embarrassment, inconveni

md certainly resentment, ts of the Eastern Pacific look Zealand for medical and aid, as residents of the Pacific look to Australia, ently the smart thing, so Few Zealand is concerned, is on a visitor’s permit, and into hospital. jsident from Tahiti who re medical attention is Mr. tfordman, who is suffering taracts on his eyes. From 0 bond was demanded and has now been ! resident of Tonga, no less )0 was demanded Our New correspondent who has in ato this case has been in by the victim’s sister that lukualofa doctor’s advice he to go to Auckland, enter have a complete check-up teed be, an operation. He ! applied for permission to ? country and was informed would first have to deposit of £5OO. He calculated that 3 require at least another travelling and medical ex nd would also need to leave nother £2OO to carry on his while he was absent. This of ready cash he did not

As he did all his banking with the Bank of New Zealand he asked the Bank to check up on the matter New Zealand, or go bond for him as he wished to be in NZ only three months.

The Bank replied (so we are in formed) that the deposit was re quired by law from anyone in ill health and that the Bank could n ot help him.

This man has now decided to enter hospital in Suva, where there is n o red tape, Islands residents, particularly those of part-European descent, have complained frequently to PIM of the insolence they have encountered from immigration officers in New Zealand. But this is the first time

we have heard that the Dominion now puts a price on its medical aid and that if you cannot pay up first, you can die at home as far as the New Zealand Government is con cerned.

It should be noted that neither of these men wanted free medical attention. They were prepared to pay for that. But what they did object to was having to find a large sum in cash simply to establish their bona fides with the Government. t Mr. J. B. Sedgers, managing director of New Guinea Co Ltd., Rabaul, came to Australia this month for leave.

[?]emony in

Pago Pago

[?]raising Day (April[?] [?]in Pago Pago, [?]can Samoa, was [?]ed this year by [?]ligh Commissioner [?]estern Samoa, Mr.

Powles (second [?]left). Others in [?]lotograph are Mrs. [?]n; Commodore [?]wyer, USN; and [?]or P. T. Cole of American [?]o: Pan American