PARLIAMENT HOSPITAL RATING ISSUE AGAIN DEBATED

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 August 1946, Page 2

PARLIAMENT HOSPITAL RATING ISSUE AGAIN DEBATED

Government Policy Criticised Proposal for Local Body Commission (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 2. When the debate on hospital rating was resumed in the House of Representatives this afternoon, Mr. W. A. Sheat (Oppn. Patea) asked whether the Government would implement the recommendations contained in the report of the Local Government Committee. It was regrettable that no Ministerial indication had been given in regard to the recommendations. The proposal to set up a commission had, however, set at fears of compulsory large-scale amalgamation of county councils. He did not agree with Mr. Nash -that any member could raise objection to a recommendation by the proposed commission. It was for the local authority to object through its Member of Parliament. He considered the committee’s recommendation to retain the present system of State highways and subsidies for main highways and to give counties a pound for pound subsidy on county roads went a substantial distance towards carrying into effect derating, for which the counties had fought for years. If the Government’s best proposal for hospital rating was to spread the burden over all of the contributing local authorities, that would mean, not a reduction, but an increase, unless the rate was pegged at its lowest level. He said every ratepayer and local body in the Dominion wanted to know if the Government would implement the committee’s hospital rating recommendations. No single recommedation in the report was ol greater interest. A decision should be delayed no longer. Commission’s Powers Mr. Morgan Williams (Govt., Kaiapoi) considered that the most important part ol the report was that regarding setting up of a commission.’ He did not view the multiplicity of local bodies as being a necessary evil, but rather as tribute to the richness of our civic life. He was opposed to the suggestion that any findings of the proposed commission should be final. Mr. Williams pointed out that the abolition of hospital rating would simply be making a present to the landowners at the expense of the public. The recommendation of the committee for a permanent commission would give Parliament the power to act or to-bring any recommendation to finality. At the same time, there should be some power to overrule any small groups obstructing the progress of larger groups. The proposed commission would have the power to make strong recommendations. which, in !)9 out of 100 cases, would be carried out subject, always, to the paramount authority, “A Red Herring”

Mr. W. Sullivan (Oppn., Bay of Plenty) said that Government members had made no real attempt to deal with the question of hospital rating. The Minister of Health (Mr. Nordmeyer) had drawn a red hening across the discussion in an attempt to distract the attention of the House from the committee’s recommendations on this issue. Mr. Nordmeyer had put up a new proposal, that of a uniform hospital rate. throughout the Dominion. If the Minister wished to sponsor that idea, he should have submitted it to the committee before the latter reached is findings. There had been ample opportunity last yeai to discuss the committee’s report. It had not been availed of. It appeared as if the Government was evading responsibility for implementing the. committee’s recommendations and sought to thrust responsibility upon a commission to be appointed, as suggested by the committee. The question of hospital rating was urgent in rural areas, he added. If something was not done during this session, there would be difficulties connected with the collection of the hospital levies. Mr. Sullivan said that once the principle of uniform hospital rating all over the country, as proposed by Mr Nordmeyer, became established, there would be nothing to prevent the amount of the rate being increased from time to time. Responsibility for hospital treatment of the Maoris in districts where there was a high peicentage of Maori population should devolve wholly upon State funds. Labour Member’s Admission Mr. H. Combs (Govt., Welhn & - ton Suburbs) said that he advocated rating on the unimproved value, but if a local bodies commission was to deal effectively with the question of amalgamation of hospital distnc , there would have to be aerating system throughout New. Zealand He would have no hesitation m placing hospital rating on the unimproved value. Hospital rates had increased, but no one would cavil a, some of the increases which had been brought about by the increased pay for those who worked m those institutions. The hospital rate was passed voice: How does the farmer pass it on? Mr Combs: The consumer m the United Kingdom has to pay it. Mr. Combs added that the sick and the ailing were a fair burden to the whole of the community. Opposition voices: Hear heai. I hen put it on the whole community. The debate had not concluded when the House rose at 4.25 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Monday.