THE GROWING BURDEN

Evening Star, Issue 17312, 27 March 1920, Page 11

THE GROWING BURDEN

HOSPITAL RATING. At a meeting of the Waikoua.iti County Council yesterday tho chairman (Cr A. S. Orbell) had something to say concerning the foreshadowed increase of SO per cent, in the contributions by local bodies to the Hospital Board. Roughly, he said, this meant that tho Waikouaiti County Council would hare to contribute £1,603 as against £l,lOO lost year. The-ir, total income from rates was £2,400, so that the council would be called upon to contribute two-thirds' of their rates to the Hospital Board. The whole question was whether the Government should not look after our sick and tax the people for it. They looked after the mental defectives, and why fhould they not look after the physically defective? Without saying anything against members of the Otago Hospital Board, he was of the opinion that thev were not the class that would be picked to run a big concern. Three or four commercial men would run tho affairs of the hoard better than the present board. It was pointed out, in addition, that the levy on the North-east Valley riding would leave that riding without any money, to carry on necessary works. Cr Laley remarked : " They had better take us'over altogether. The only way to get over it will be for every resident in my riding to apply for c! 3 ritable aid."