NO CHANGE YET

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32314, 15 September 1943, Page 5

NO CHANGE YET

HOSPITAL RATING SYSTEM

STATEMENT BY MR THORN

MEETING HELD AT MANGAITI

Quite a little discussion arose concerning the present system of hospital rating at Mr J. Thorn’s meeting at Mangaiti. The matter had been touched upon when Mr Thorn was describing the administration of Social Security benefits. The Question was put that the farmer was paying for his medical service twice —once through the general taxation on income and again through hospital rates on the land. This appeared an unfair burden.

Mr Thorn replied to the effect that the rating system was one of long usage and all landowners came under it. City properties paid heavily and the time was not yet ripe to “let off” the wealthy companies with big city holdings. These contributed a large percentage of the revenue necessary to city hospitals. The only thing that he could say was that social security subsidies lessened the burden which would otherwise be place on the taxpayer.

He quoted certain relief given the Thames Hospital (to which most of those present would be paying rates) as an illustration of this • point. Although he was quoting a press clipping of figures stated to be those of the board’s chairman, a member of the audience questioned these, as also did Mr Shallue. Mr Thorn undertook to investigate the point to see if a mistake had occurred.

The discussion was dropped after Mr Thorn made the point that if the Government provided all hospital funds it might logically demand right of administration.