HOSPITAL LEVIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 7

HOSPITAL LEVIES

"The Wellington Hospital Board covering the forthcoming year up to March 31, 1939, had struck their estimate of expenditure at £112,193 15s Id, an increase of £7750, or 8.8 per cent., said Mr. J. Tucker last night. The reason for the rise in local bodies' contributions towards the hospital was rising cost of administration. The increase of approximately £9000 would be paid in higher wages and would return in greater purchasing power. The increase of levies in Auckland would amount to £28,000, whilst the total in Wellington would be approximately £ 12,000. Auckland would have to bear an increase of 34 per cent, against Wellington's 9 per cent. The beneficial legislation of the Government in removing the means test and assisting in the relief of distress meant £4000 saving to the board in expenditure. The £20,000 surplus was another creditable performance in local body management by a Labour group. This surplus was shown after reducing hospital fees from £4 4s per week to £3 3s. Mr. F. Castle questioned the surplus on the grounds of over-expendi-ture estimated the year previously, but they could not avoid the fact that during his term of chairmanship the board showed a deficit of- £20;000.