UNDER CRITICISM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 139, 15 June 1938, Page 11

UNDER CRITICISM.

HOSPITAL LEVY. LOCAL BODY'S OPINION. INCIDENCE REVIEW WANTED. Criticism of the system under which the Auckland Hospital Board makes its annual levy on local bodies was voiced ' at a meeting of the Mount Albert Bor- j ough Council last night, and the council unanimously supported a resolution calling for a complete review of the incidence of hospital board taxation. The resolution, moved by Mr. F. B. Watts, stated that the Auckland Suburban Local Bodies' Association should be j asked to appoint a committee with a j view to taking conceited action in con- j junction with the Auckland C'itv Conn- j cil or other local bodies in submitting I to the appropriate authority the strongest representation for a complete review of t lie incidence of hospital board taxation. In a report on rating in the borough, Mr. \Y atts stated that levies showed] an aggregate increase of £2477 over last year, the substantial item being an increase of £ I l>7"t in the Hospital Board levy. At present the levy stood at £7222, and that in itself required practically 10 per cent of the full amount of the borough rate. The levy represented 7/ per head for every man, woman and (liild in the borough. Such large figures were alarming, and a determined stand should be taken by local bodies jointly. "I have for a. long time felt that the imposition of the hospital levy as a charge on projK'rty is wrong," said the Mayor, Mr. 11. A. Anderson. "It should be a charge oil the public puree, a charge on the community." Agreeing with the Mayor, Mr. F. E. Martin said that the position should be faced, as one did not know what the position would be next year. Levies made on the borough for last year and this respectively were as under: Hospital. £5249, £7-i——; drainage, £270 H. £3087: Fire Board, £1075, £1198; museum, £472, £409.