HOSPITAL COSTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 88, 12 March 1935, Page 6

HOSPITAL COSTS

ALLEVIATING THE BURDEN. QUESTION OF ART UNION. It was reported by the chairman (Cr. D. Collis), at to-day’s meeting of the Kairanga Council, that the Palmerston North Hospital Board contemplated a building programme involving an expenditure of £40,000. This led Cr RA. Mercer to enquire whether it was not possible for an art union to be conducted for the benefit of the Hospital. Or Anderson stated that he was not in favour of 6iieh a scheme, adding that there was a very small amount of the total being returned from art unions and that the public were paying “through the nose.” . Or W. G. Shannon: They are doing that now. ~ The chairman remarked that the question was whether the county could stand another levy. / , , . Cr P. G. Mildon enquired whether it would not ’be possible to bring pressure to bear on the Government to apportion a greater amount to hospitals, or that the levy due from local authorities be on the basis of population. “Everyone will agree that we are paying too much and we should co-operate in a move to have the allocation of county councils placed on a different basis,’’ concluded the speaker. The chairman: We will all agree on that point. . . Cr Mildon further mentioned that the ratepayers would have a big amount to find this year. Cr Mercer considered that the farmers could not bear any further burdens. The chairman: We are paying £4OOO a year now. Cr Shannon, in referring to Cr Anderson’s remark, pointed out that the Dannevirke A. and P. Association had shared in an art union and had benefited to the extent of some £BOOO. The chairman explained that it was apparent as to what the views of the councillors were and the representatives on the Hospital Board would keep them in mind when the matter was further discussed by the board.