HAWKE'S BAY HOSPITAL LEVY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 241, 29 June 1918, Page 8

HAWKE'S BAY HOSPITAL LEVY

\ CONFERENCE BETWEEN BOAED AND LOCAL BODJES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Napier, June 28. A conference was held to-day between r the Hawke's Bay Hospital Board and the llocal bodies, protesting against the rates. It was presided over by the Hon. G. W. Bussell. Sir. Russell, in opening the conference, explained that the meeting was for the ; purpose of 'considering the levies made by the Hospital Board. The levies were growing throughout New Zealand, and there was a feeling throughout the Dominion that an attempt should be made to run the hospitals without such, largo, levies from-the local authorities, but Napier and Wellington were the only two :' " objecting centres. During recent years there had been a great advance in scien- : tific development, and that' conld not come without expense, especially when it : ■ . was remembered that our hospital system' ■ was far,,superior.to even .the provincial system at Home. The staffs had to bo added to, and the cost bad been considerably ; increased as a result ,of improvei ments adopted, 'especially in regard to X-ray and other treatment. In Hawke's ; Bay there was a capital value of !■••• '.814,000.000. and this- was allowing HawteV'B&y to win through, with a comparatively small rate of l-sth of a Senny in the pound.';.which was about 16. average. The figures showed that. 1 there were over 1,217,000 more sheep in Hawke's Bay than there were in the German Empire when war broke out, and a, district of that value should not ' be afraid of a hospital rate. Voices: It is 3d. in Napier. . The/Minister then went on to say that when'''local" bodies considered the levy, i; was high, a body had a right to appeal ;. . tho reasons for the appeal to be eiven. If he -was satisfied that the local del. man'ds were excessive lie would appoint j 'ft commissioner. . That wouid cast i money. He thought that perhaps an j agreement might be reached at this coni ference, and tlicn no further action i would be necessary. His personal opinion; at present was that the demand was : not excessive, and ho had in his hand a statement stowing the need for tho large ; expense. ''' .. ./ . After" discussion, it • was moved and and carried: "That the inquiry bo not furfher proceeded with, and that the ; ' suggestion of the Minister that publicity should be given to hospital matters be considered by the Hospital Board." A motion, endorsing the necessity for the suggested new system of subsidies on the basis of the rates collected was also adopted.