UNFAIR INCIDENCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 163, 12 July 1945, Page 7

UNFAIR INCIDENCE

HOSPITAL LEVIES

SUPPORT FOR PROTEST P,Ai:; WESTPORT, this day. "Support for a resolution forwarded :by.theiWestport Ratepayers' Association, to -.the Government, protesting against the unfair, incidence of' hospital taxation was.giv,en\ by the Westport Borough Council at a meeting last night. It was recommended that the .Government; should consider a scheme to meet- -75\ per cent of hospital expenses*- the other 25 per cent to, be met':by-local bodies. H Almost, .one', third-: qf: jthe xates ■struck by the council was being-paid io the Puller Hospital Board this year it" was-stated. Tnere were indications of a further increase next year* IM&ay lmporlant-wocKfe were .sttfferiri-g-: ; in :consejquerice as.:it was.eon'sidered irripossfble to 'increase the heavy burden of the ratepayers. . Mention was-.made- .of the big reduction of £57,000 in'capital, value when the State took over the Stockton Coal Company's property;- this" placing an. additional burden on the ratepayers. :.-■■*

Labour members advocate the complete nationalisation of hospitals, and said it was unfair- that only a small section of the community was asked to pay hospital taxation. An amendment in. this direction, however, was defeated.' -• -'-' ■'--- •■