HOSPITAL RATES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 55, Issue 32713, 15 May 1946, Page 12

HOSPITAL RATES

o PROTEST MOTION CONFERENCE PROPOSALS COUNTIES’ ASSOCIATION The chairman, Mr E. Deeble, spoke at the May meeting of the Coromandel County Council of the important matters to be dealt with at the special conference being held in Wellington in July hyy the Counties’ Association. The consideration of the recommendations of the Parliamentary commission was an important subject, while the question of hospital rating also loomed large in import- ’ ance in view of the high increase in local bodjes’ contributions to the hospital boards. The amount required by the Thames Hospital Board this year was over £l9'oo' as against £l4oo' odd last year, an increase of 3>2 per cent. Fool’s Paradise.” ‘“We have been living in a fool’s paradise as far as free hospital treatment is concerned,” said' Mr Deeble. “It’s the ratepayers who are being called on to pay the cost, and the matter has come to the stage where we have got to make a stand, in conjunction with other counties 1 in New Zealand in protesting against this imposition on the ratepayers. “The matter has (been left in abeyance,” he continued, “until after the Parliamentary Commission’s report

has been received and now is the time to go into it. The Parliamentary Commission’s recommendation that the 19'3'8 figures be reverted to and the (Government to stand all capital expenditure was a step in the right direction.”

It was 1 then proposed' by Cr. A Watkins and seconded by Cr. T. E. Simpson: “That the chairman and clerk attend the conference •in Wellington.”

Cr. H. C. Bull said the chairman was quite capable of going himself and moved an amendment that the chairman go alone. This amendment lapsed for want of a seconder. The motion was carried'. It was> also pointed out that other matters could be dealt with while they were in Wellington in connection with county affairs. . .’Cl*. *A. J. Denize, in supporting the motion, said the trouble was' that neither the chairman or the clerk had enough punch—‘•You, Mr Chairman, are inclined too much to diplomacy—and this is a time when you must up and call a spade a spade.” It was generally conceded that the clerk had all the figures at his fingertips, and was a tower of strength on such occasions, and that the money would be well spent by sending both' to Wellington.