Increasing Cost Of Hospital Upkeep

Northern Advocate, 12 October 1949, Page 4

Increasing Cost Of Hospital Upkeep

WELLINGTON, Wed. (Sp.) —Concern at the increasing cost of hospital maintenance to the ratepayer was expressed by the i-ocal Government Loans Board in its annual report presented to the House yesterday. Recognising the need for improved hospital facilities, the board still maintained that the burden of taxation to pay for the new buildings and extensions should not grow out of hand. The board pointed out that since the limitation of hospital rating little objection was raised to capital expenditure by contributing local bodies. Applications were again in excess of £10,000,000. New loans sanctioned totalled £6,077,289 and redemptions £1,542,177. Those referred back or declined amounted to £1,610,832. Transport accounted for £1,353,336; electricity supply, £2,269,600; and hospital works, £1,263,100. The four features of the year’s operations were the increased activity in electric power supply authorities, the conversion of Australian domiciled debt following the reversion to exchange parity, sustained progress in hospital construction work, and housing construction by local bodies to provide accommodation for employees. Conversion operations reduced loan charges to local bodies, while all loans were placed on a basis which would allow for their liquidation at mat date.