RATEPAYERS DOUBLY HIT

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 101, 2 May 1933, Page 9

RATEPAYERS DOUBLY HIT

In his romarks nt the Concert Chamber last night Mr. 3. D. Siuvwright, who is on the Blue and White ticket, gavo his views upon unemployment relief^ Many men and womon, ho said, wero out of work through no fault of their own, and hi.s sympathies wove with- them. Voluntary efforts would bo mado towards supplementary relief'as in the Mayor's Fund and the Governor-General's appeal. Thero was an aspect of .unemployment, however, that should bo noted- by ratepayers. With a quarter of a million already added to tho debt of tho city by .unemployment loans, the burden on ratepayers would continue for many years oven if unemployment ceased at once. His point was that the Government collected all the unemployment taxation, about £4,500',000'a year, and therefore tho whole charge of unemployed relief -was upon tho Government. Unemployment was a national question, and when the 'ratepayers of Wellington wero expending £50,000 a year on relief they were being . doubly taxed. That was neither fair nor right to property owners, who found tho utmost difficulty in meeting the heavy rate burdens of the- city. It was the duty of tho City Council to take the least possible but of the ratepayers' pockets and to guard against double taxation.

HOSPITAL BOARD ESSENTIALS

, It is essential that there .should, be oil the Hospital Board men equipped with, business . experience and trained in finance, said,Mr. F. It. Bass, a Civic League and Ratepayers' Association candidate for the board, last night. The five essentials of' a - successful board, in his ©pinion, were:—Provision of adequate medical and nursing service for the care/of patients; provision of ■ adequate- aceonnnodJition; efficient administration combined with economy; moderate fees; and promotion and maintenance of .harmonious relationship between the board, and the staff.