HOSPITAL TAXATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 July 1936, Page 9

HOSPITAL TAXATION

LOCAL BODIES’ BURDEN

MOVE FOB RELIEF

‘•ln view of the ever increasing burden that iis being placed upon boroughs a.nd counties in this country, through hospital board levies, there is a growing opinion that the time has come when the incidence of the maintenance of hospital and charitable aid boards should be altered.”

This statement was contained in a letter received by the Pqliangina County Council on Saturday from the town clerk of the Petone Borough Council. He pointed out that concern had been expressed at the extraordinary increase in this year’s hospital levy, and the certainty of further urge increases in the future and, with a view to urging the Government to give the matter serious consideration, uipport was sought for the following resolution passed by lire council: “That the incidence of the costs or hospital board administration should l>o reviewed as an urgent matter, in the direction of relieving ratepayers from part or tbe whole of the burden 'rising from such costs, and that the Municipal Association be urged to make representations oil the a.bove subject to the Government.” Cr. D. McKenzie commented that if tbe burden were lifted from local bodies it would only lie placed on the Consolidated Fund, which meant that the money would still have to come from the same people. He hoped flint the proposed national health m- ■ uraiiee scheme would relieve the posiion. The letter was received.

ACTION TAKEN ALREADY, AY lie n the Petone Borough Council’s letter came before the Horowhenua County Council on Saturday. the cliarinian (Cr. G. A. Monk) said that it was only three months ago that there had been a big conference of local bodies in AA T ellington and representations along the lines indicated had already been made to the Government. To take action as suggested would only be duplication. The letter was received.