HOSPITAL RATES

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 December 1945, Page 3

HOSPITAL RATES

COUNCIL TO LEVY WHANGAREI, December 5. The- Mangonui County Council, at a special meeting to-day, considered its attitude in view of the Government’s current proposal to compel 'collection of hospital rates. This , Council has not struck hospital rates for two years. There was a full day’s discussion, in which representatives of the Farmers’ Union, which has taken a leading part in the derating campaign, spoke. i The following motion was carried: “That, in view of the finding and recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Body Affairs, which so definitely substantiates long-standing claims of hardship in north counties, this Council expresses grave disappointment at the Government’s action in taking drastic powers under the Statutes Amendment Bill, to enable the enforcement of what has now been recognised, officially, as an injustice. The forcing through of such, legislation ahead of the consideration and implementation of a Select Committee’s report, is most untimely, and must undermine public faith in the sincerity of the Government’s intentions regarding that report.” It was also decided that the Prime Minister be informed that, following the bringing down of the Parliamentary Committee’s recommendations, the Council is now prepared immediately to levy the hospital rate for the current year, on the basis of the Committee’s recommendations, namely, the 1935-1939 average of £3,346; and to pay the proceeds to the Mangonui Hospital Board. The Council makes it clear that it is taking these steps in a belief that the Government will place the findings of the Select Committee on the Statute Book. ■. The Council gave notice of the intention to strike a rate of twopence farthing in the pound on the unimproved value for hospital pur-. poses. '