HOSPITAL RATING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 24, 28 July 1943, Page 3

HOSPITAL RATING

LAND VALUES ARTIFICIAL "Ratepayers are not seeking to dodge their responsibilities over the maintenance of our hospitals, but they certainly complain bitterly about a tax which double-banks their payments to the Social Security Fund," declared Mr. W. Morrison, president of the New Zealand Counties' Association, in his address to the annual conference today. "During the past few years the huge sum of nearly £50,000,000 has been paid into the fund. I am very disappointed that more taxation relief has not been effected as far as our ratepayers ai*e concerned." Mr. Morrison contended that land values were too artificial a basis on which to assess hospital rates, as these values depended on the whim of valuers. In addition, many people who were able to pay hospital taxation escaped. On the other hand the principle of equity would act fairly, if those in receipt of salaries and wages, together with the moneyed men, had to contribute pro rata hospital taxes on them. Later in the conference, Mr. G. A. Monk (Levin), after reviewing the system of hospital rating, moved the following motion:—"That the present system of hospital rating be abolished and replaced by a system based on income, salaries, and wages of all adults in receipt of same; further, that immediately after the war sufficient of the present national security tax—say 2d or 3d in the £—be retained to replace the levies now being paid by contributing authorties." (Proceeding.)

W.E.A. classes in Russian literature and industrial relations commence next week. Dr. Danilove, at Victoria College, will deal with Russian literature before and after the revolution. The industrial relations class will be held at the Trades' Hall, where Dr. A. E. C. Hare will trace the causes of discontent, the organisation of labour, methods of settling disputes, etc. Details are advertised.