WANTS A “SHOWDOWN”

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1944, Page 6

WANTS A “SHOWDOWN”

COUNTY COUNCIL BOYCOTTS HOSPITAL LEVY. P.A. WANGANUI, Sept. 21.. The Mangonui County Council, which at a previous meeting had decided to refuse to strike a hospital levy, received a letter from the Minister of Health, at a meeting on Wednesday, requesting the Council to reconsider its decision. The Minister pointed out that, under the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, provision was made whereby, should a local body fail to pay the required hospital contribution, the Minister of Finance, on the application of the Hospital Board, might deduct from any subsidies due to the Council a sum equal to the contribution, or as much as might be required, together with interest. Further, the ValuerGeneral could strike and collect the rate required, and charge the Council with the cost of doing so. The Minister appealed to the Council to reconsider that, if it adhered to its recent decision, it would be acting against the interests of the general body of its ratepayers. The Council decided not to alter its decision. A member said it was made to bring about a “showdown” regarding payment of the Hospital levy,