RATE STRUCK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1942, Page 3

RATE STRUCK

HOSPITAL FINANCES

ESTIMATES ADOPTED

After considerable discussion, the Auckland Hospital Board, at a meeting last evening, adopted its estimates for the current year, these ; providing for an increase in the levy from 0.38 d in the £ to 0.58 d, and a ; total increase in local body contributions of £86,847. Mr. G. T. Parvin moved that the ' levy be 0.42 d in the £, the same as 1939-40. Mr. J. Guiniven moved as an amendment that the levy be 0.47 d in the £. He said that to budget at 0.42 d was to budget in the dark. The amendment was not seconded, and the chairman, Mr. Allan j! Moody, moved as an amendment that the estimates be adopted. He said that the board had to be just before being generous. The local bodies had been given two adjournments, and they had been waiting six weeks to adopt the estimates. No further advance had been made by the local bodies, and no definite assurance had been forthcoming. It was a fantastic piece of camouflage to budget short, and all questions of parochialism could be ruled out. The chairman of the finance committee, Mr. J. Victor Macky, said that it was unsound to budget under requirements, and to budget short was only taking a gamble with the finances. He said that last year there was a deficit of £74.952. There had •)een some costs which could riot have been budgeted for. Mr. A. Bishop suggested that if they had to spend a lot of money on the care of soldiers a loan should be considered. The decision to adopt the estimates was carried by 8 votes to 4, those opposing it being Messsr. J. Guiniven, V. M. Tracey, G. T. Parvin and E. H. Potter.