HOSPITAL LEVIES

Evening Star, Issue 19589, 22 June 1927, Page 6

HOSPITAL LEVIES

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER POPULATION AND VALUATION BASIS {Special to the ' Star.'] WELLINGTON, June 22. The question of hospital levies and tho Government contributions was reopened this morning, when a deputation, representing tho New Zealand Counties Association and tho New Zealand Farmers’ Union waited on the Minister of Health, who promised to bring their suggestions before the Government.

_ Mr A. E. Jnll, president of the Counties’ Association, contended that too great a burden was being carried bv the rural districts. Population as well jas valuation should ho considered in | fixing tho levies. It must be conceded that some hospital boards in extending their activities to branches of medical science, which wore considered by many to lie frills, required more money to carry on. Yet these special facilities were available only to those within easy distance of hospitals. On a population basis the difference between counties and boroughs was remarkable, approximately 40 per cent, of tho population being in the counties and 60 in the boroughs. By a singular coincidence 60 per cent, of the total valuation on which the levies were made was represented by the counties, and only 40 per cent, by the boroughs. Thus the figures were reversed. Two-fifths of the population was- providing throefifths of the contributions for hospital work in New Zealand. Half the levy should be based on population, and the other half on valuation';- Mr Jull also suggested that tho counties containing tracts of native land on which it was impossible to collect rates should bo given relief. A statutory declaration could be made setting forth the proportion of the county which paid no revenue, and that could be deducted from the total on which the assessment of the hospital levies was made. Mr W. Morrison, vice-president of the Farmers’ Union, thought the levy might bo made on tlio basis of capitalised income in urban areas, since tho wealthy professional men with small land holdings contributed very little, whereas the farmers had to pay on valuation of tho whole area occupied, though in some cases their equity might be only 5 per cent. The Minister (the Hon. J. A. Young) said the question of deviating from the present system had been under consideration on numerous occasions, and in 1923, when tested out in Parliament, was lost on a division. Tho Commissioner of Taxes favored adhesion to the present system, and the Hospital Boards’ Association, representing forly-olj'hl boards, only four of which were city boards, also favored it. Before bringing (he question before Cabinet he would like to hear the Hospital Boards’ Association’s side of the case.' The association had the matter under consideration at the present time. Personally ho thought the suggestion regarding native lauds was reasonable, and ho would bring it under the notice of the Ministers concerned.