THE HOSPITAL LEVY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 160, 8 July 1932, Page 6

THE HOSPITAL LEVY.

The levy made by the Hospital Board on lociil bodies is to he slightly raised this year, and the increase is only a fraction of the extra money that the board has had to spend on relief. The board has a good case for regarding as a gift the £32,000 advanced by the State, but the Government, hard pressed for money, refuses to so treat this sum, so the ratepayers have to bear the burden. Two important points are raised by the estimates. Though the Unemployment Hoard is taking over responsibility for ablebodied unemployed, the Hospital Board estimates that £53,000 will he required for its own relief operations. The hope may be expressed that expenditure will bo well under this figure. Then there is the cost of the hospital. Reductions have been made, but there is still need for an independent investigation of the business side of the institution. The board seems to regard any such suggestion as a reflection on itself, but it should welcome anything that might lead to the adoption of better business methods and the saving of public money.