HIGHER HOSPITAL LEVY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 123, 27 May 1930, Page 11

HIGHER HOSPITAL LEVY.

SOME CAUSES EXPLAINED. INCREASED IUTSKINa COSTS. CHARITABLE AID BURDEN. In addressing the Manurewa Town Board at its meeting last evening, the Rev. W. C. Wood, district representative on the Auckland Hospital Board, remarked that the greatest surprise he received on toeing initiated into the work of the board was the immensity of the various branches it incorporated. He realised that the increased levy had occasioned a lot of comment, and thought that something should be said in reference to the matter. Firstly, consideration must be given to the 'enormous increase in running costs during the past 10 years. The year 1920 had absorbed £06,000, compared with last year's total of £132,000. Charitable aid, "one of the bugbears of the board," had increased in that period rrom £14,000 to £46,000, the increase having occurred notably during the past three years. The institution embraced numerous subsidiary hospitals such as Waiuku and Warkworth, also the Epsom Infirmary. The numtoer of patients treated last year was £10,312, representing an increase of 600 on the previous year. In referring to. the fact that the hospital relief of unemployed had been an extraordinary charge on the board's -funds, Mr. Wood said that the Coates Government had granted £10,000 for this item, but had left it to the Ward Government to find the money, and the finances were worse off accordingly. In framing its estimates for last year the board had adopted generous measures, yet a deficit of £38,000 had remained to be made up.

Mr. Wood emphasised the fact that the Government subsidy for charitable aid was based on the board's levy, and a much greater subsidy would now be forthcoming. Had the levy not been increased, tine relief money would have still had to be found and would of necessity have come out of overdraft. Mr. Wood spolce at length of the invaluable work being carried out by the hoard and said its steady inerease would necessitate further expansion and eventually the erection of subsidiary hospitals.