HOSPITAL BOARD ESTIMATES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 119, 20 April 1932, Page 6

HOSPITAL BOARD ESTIMATES.

The estimates adopted by the Palmerston North Hospital .Board this week provide for a reduction of 9.8 per cent, in the levies payable by the contributing local authorities. Last year the relief was 10 per cent. It will be hoped the amount will meet with the approval of the local bodies. The city of Palmerston North, Horowhenua and Kairanga Counties are the three largest contributing authorities, and the relief to them for both maintenance and capital levies amounts to £3BO 19s 3d, £325 7s 8d and £426 13s 3d respectively. In the past year, however, the valuation of Palmerston North has been increased by nearly £360,000 and Horowhenua by £156,000, while the Kairanga County has been slightly reduced. The cost of hospital administration has exercised the minds of people for some time past. Due to the expansion of maintenance and capital programmes it now exceeds £2,000,000 annually. This is a tremendous sum for a country such as New Zealand, and especially at a time like this presses very heavily upon ratepayers and taxpayers who are required to shoulder the greater part of the burden. The need for rigid economy should never be relaxed, however, for even in prosperity the levies press heavily. The Palmerston North Board, it is noted, has kept below its estimate for maintenance. That is evidence of strict economy in internal administration without impairing the efficiency of the institution. The contributing authorities will be gratified to know that the Board is performing its functions with full regard to the circumstances of the times.