The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated The West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1939. HOSPITAL LEVIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1939, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in corporated The West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1939. HOSPITAL LEVIES.

At the late conference of representatives of Hospital Boards, aiann v. r as expressed at the growing increase in levies on local uodies for hospital maintenance. Now the'matter has been taken up by the Counties’ Association, and that organisation has issued a statement in review of the position. One table indicates the burden now cast, on the local bodies, in idzo tiie levy for New Zealand was £350,411. In 1938, the levy had jumped by progressive increases to £822,562. In the last live years, the increase on country council contributions nas been equal to 27 per cent. There ns now the fear with the introduction of social benefit legislation, that the increase will grow alarmingly, and there is a universal demand by local todies for material relief. The reasons for the increases are fully recognised, as being due to an increasing number , of patients, which calls for extra accommodation and staff, and additional supplies. Wages, salaries, and supplies are all higher, and) in one case it is said the increase is about onethird above previous cost. Drugs are costing more, as well as surgical and medical equipment. As far as capital expenditure on buildings is concerned, the expenditure two years ago, was £165,995, and last year £315,784, with a still rising tendency. Another aspect stressed by the Counties’ Association, is the old-vexed question bearing on valuations cum population. While m the former, the counties carry 52 per cent of the capital value, there is only 41 per cent of the population in the county districts. The boroughs have 48 per cent of the valuations, and 59 per, cent of the population. The contention is that 41 per cent of the population, bearing 52 per cent of the levy, is not equitable. It is further stressed, that the borough residents make more personal use of the hospitals, being in direct contact with the institutions, while the country residents use the hospitals only in emergency. It is considered this will be more marked still, once the free medical benefits are brought into effect. In that event the burden on the country districts will increase unduly still further. A former proposal was suggested to allocate the levy, half on capital value and half on population. Such a scheme would be of the greatest assistance to local bodies 'surrounding the large centres of population. As that wpuld not be uniformly fair, it is now suggested that the expenditure should be allocated as Government £2 local bodies £l. It is estl- ) mated that on this basis, the local authorities on the 1937 levy would benefit to the extent of £185.300. But this can hardly be satisfactory in view of the jump costs will take under the social security scheme of free medical treatment, while at the same time the inequity of the 18 per cent less population in the country will remain. Many governments have promised re-

lief, but none have attempted to han-

dle the issue.' Like so many other local body problems, it is left over, and as time goes on the position grows more acute. The new legislation soon tooperate will probably assist in bringing matters to a head. Meantime the local bodies must go on rating to meet the annual levy demanded.