HOSPITAL LEVY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 274, 1 September 1939, Page 6

HOSPITAL LEVY

NO SOCIAL FUND CHARGE. LETTER TO COUNTY COUNCIL. MINISTER DECLINES SUGGESTION “Careful consideration has ben given to your representations, but I am unable to agree with the Council s suggestion that the cost of maintenance of hospitals should be a full charge on the Social Security Fund, thus affording relief to ratepayers by the cessation of levies for that purpose,” wrote the Minister of Health (the Hon. P. Fraser) in a letter to the Ashburton County Council to-day. “It is .pointed out that the administrative responsibilities under our hospital system are largely local ones, and it is necessary, therefore, to maintain an equitable share of the net maintenance requirements of hospital boards between local rates and general taxes. As the Council will doubtless be aware, it was recently decided by the Government not to alter the system of hospital finance. “I would add, however, that the position of contributory local authorities arising out of the increase in the requirements of boards is fully appreciated, but it is considered that payments from the Social Security Fund in respect of hospital hoards and maternity benefits which have been inaugurated since hospital boards adopted their estimates this year will result in a. substantial increase in their receipts from patients’ fees, and consequently a measure of relief in the amounts to bo contributed by levy and subsidy in future. “In regard to the Ashburton Hospital Board’s estimates for the current year, the Council will be gratified that the total levy on the contributory local authorities amounts to £10,779 13s sd, which represents a reduction of £1749 12s, compared with the previous year.” There were present at the meeting Messrs H. J. Crothers (chairman), A. N. Grigg, M.P., J. Bland, S. P. Taylor, F. Frampton, C. A. Campion, J. Carr, W. G. Gallagher, H. O B. Withell, J. Moore, J. Lowery, and A. Doig. The Engineer (Mr H. A. Vezey) reported that all races with their sources in the higher levels had been irregular for the greater part of the period owing to the very boisterous weather conditions. A heavy snowfall was experienced on July 31, followed by hard frosts. There was a light fall on August 10, mostly around the foothills, followed by a blizzard on the night of August 17. The w r ater-race gangs were fully occupied in clearing the main and sub-main races of snow, ancl in the Me.th.ven district the truck drivers and men were also utilised. The annual cleaning of water-races commenced on August 14 and will terminate on September 6. Weather conditions had hampered the work and in some districts it would be necessary to arrange for a further period of dry races to complete operations. The Engineer reported in detail on supply in the several districts and on the work that had been carried out on roads. It w’as agi*eed to engage for another month, the relief men who have been clearing Council land recently. It was stated that the work of these men was very good, the gang being the best the Council had had in its employ under relief schemes. It w r as agreed to engage 12 men for work oil footpaths and in the Domain at Methven. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) wrote thanking the Council for its letter expressing the hope for his early recovery from his illness. It w’as agreed to make the usual annual grant of £l2O to the Canterbury Progress League to express to the League appreciation of its work in the last year; the Ashburton Workers’ Education Association was granted the annual fee of two guineas. Tenders for work in the Council yards were received, and after a long discussion it was agreed that in view of the general tension and the trend of world affairs decision should be held up for one month.