THE WELLINGTON HOSPITAL REPORT

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 243, 11 July 1938, Page 10

THE WELLINGTON HOSPITAL REPORT

It is unnecessary to examine in detail the exhaustive report of the Royal Commission appointed to investigate present and prospective requirements in the Wellington Hospital district. The salient points are that the need for extra accommodation, which was generally admitted, has been affirmed. The Commission, however, embraces in its recommendations the provision of a hospital service for the Hutt Valley as well as extra accommodation for the main hospital, thus endorsing a substantial body of public opinion opposed to the undue augmentation of the size of the latter, and concerned about the needs of the rapidly-increasing population of the Hutt Valley area.

The fact to be faced is the cost. The scheme recommended will involve an expenditure of £863,075 as against the sum of £750,000 which the Hospital Board proposed to spend on the Wellington institution, and which evoked such strong protests from the contributory local authorities and the ratepayers. The fact that over £lOO,OOO has been added to the expenditure proposed gives extra emphasis to the point raised by the mayor of Wellington on Saturday that there should be a complete revision of the methods of raising money for hospital purposes. All over the country the increasing cost of hospital services, and the consequent increase on the lines imposed, is adding to the burden of taxation. This hardship is particularly felt in the rural districts, where the burden of increased farm costs, resulting from the Socialist Government’s legislation, has made serious inroads on the farmers’ incomes. It is inequitable, as Mr. Hislop emphasises, "that a limited number of people, the ratepayers, should be called upon for special contributions for the purpose of carrying on these general purposes.” The burden should be spread.