MANY TOPICS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 93, 21 April 1933, Page 8

MANY TOPICS

MEETING AT NORTHLAND

Many matters were touched upon by the speakers at. Northland, these including hospital administration, unem-' ployment relief, the city's finances, and Harbour Board charges. Captain S. Holm, who is seeking reelection to the City Council, said that unemployment relief cost the council £32,000 last year for supervision, in-, suranee,' etc., on 3000_inen employed under the No. 5 scheme. "The matter has become a national one, "he said, "and a conference of local bodies has discussed the problem with a. view to placing before the Government a scheme whereby the unemployed men will be engaged on useful works and receive an increased wage. At present the project is in abeyance, but the conference will be called together to finalise its plan as soon as the Mayor can find time to have the meeting: If the Government undertakes the unemployed relief, Wellington ratepayers will materially benefit, as £32,000 represents 6 per cent, of the rates struck this year, and by finding employment for men now on relief worsts the hospital levy will be decreased, ,as less charitable aid will be required?' WORK OF HOSPITAL BOARD. Speaking of the administration of the Wellington Hospital, .Mr. F. Castle, who is standing for're-election to the board, of which he is the present chairman, said that during the past two years the closest scrutiny, had been made of all departments, and an -improved . medical organisation had been established which, h© thought, would work smoothly, although some minor changes might have to be- made. Economy had been carried out as far as possible, and without seriously impairing efficiency ■or lowering tho standard of service. A reduction of the levies made on local bodies would result this year, but owing to a considerable decrease in the receipts from patients, and also owing to the deficit of the last year having to be carried forward, the reduction in levies and subsidy was not as large as the reduction in expenditure. Mr. Castle submitted figures showing the board's position. He expressed the board's regret at the retirement of Mr. C. M. Luke, who had given invaluable services during his association of nearly half a century with the • administration of the hospital. COST TO PATIENTS. Mr, J. H. Helliwell, who is also seeking re-election to the Hospital Board, said that the only policy possible.for a member of such a board was for the benefit-of the patient in the ward and the poor and destitute outside.. He supported tho complaints that accommodation fees for patients had been.far ; too. high, and maintained that it should be possible for any- member of the 'community to.receive treatment'at a cost that would not be too high for him. Ho thought two guineas.a week was enough. The present fees had been laid ,down by the Government. Mr. Helliwell expressed the hope'that the Unemployment Board would relieve the board wholly of all responsibility fdr relief except that which the board dealt with in normal times. , 1 THE COUNCIL'S DUTY. There were very few men in local governments who studied economics, said Mr. H. L. Cummings, a candidate for the City Council. If more men devoted themselves to the subject it would be more generally recognised that periods of peak prices and slumps came in cycles, and governing bodies would probably have foreseen a few years ago what was going to happen to the country and would have made preparations accordingly. ' Foresight and precaution w ( ere invaluable, he said. The only thing the council could do now was to watch even the smallest items and economise as much as possible without creating undue hardship. HARBOUR BOARD'S RECORD. The Harbour Board had held thirty-, eight meetings last year,' and he had attended them all, said Captain F. A. Maeindoe, who is seeking re-election. The board's superannuation fund was in a very healthy condition, and during the year the employees had contributed £6178 and the board £4016., The fact that reductions were being mado in tho cold storage rates for fruit and cheese, in spite of the loss made on the working, of th^ store, indicated the board's willingness to accept a share of .the burden caused by the depression. Although reductions had been made in the staff, they were carried but on a conservative basis, and: very reluctantly. An annual contribution of £300 was made by the board to the Freo Ambulance Association. The floating dock had been thoroughly tested, and its availability had brought considerable trade to the port. THE CITY'S.BALANCE. Boferring to the statement that the city's credit balance for tho year was £24,257, Mr. M. S. Galloway, a City Council candidate, pointed out that included on the' receipt side were two items.which were really loans from the electric lighting department, and the unemployment loan of .approximately £25,000, which wiped out the credit completely. It was significant to .note, ho said, that approximately 10 per cent, of. the ratepayers defaulted, according to the figures given. Rato revenue budgeted for £508,000. Current • rate. receipts amounted to £454,000, leaving rates outstanding between £50,000 and £60,000. The accumulated rates outstanding totalled about £90,000. Loans maturing during 1933 amounted to £626,000, of which £273,000 was. provided for, leaving £353,000 to be arranged. Tho bulk of that money was payable in London, and the position would be inflated by complicated exchange.