RATE INCREASE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 14 April 1945, Page 4

RATE INCREASE

WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL CONSIDERABLE RISE LIKELY OBJECTION TO HOSPITAL BOARD EXPENDITURE A considerable increase in the rules to be collected tills year in tbe I Waimea County was forecast by members ot the council at yesterday's meeting, one member express- , ing the view that the total rales would be increased by between 30 and 75 per cent. lne discussion arose from a letter received Irom tbe Nelson Hospital Board in which the board gave notice ol us uueution to raise an additional loan ol' 28.000 for the erection of new buildings. A motion objecting to the raising of this loan at the present time was passed by Hie council. The resolution stated: "That this council objects to the raising ol a loan of £28,000 by the Nelson Hospital Board for expenditure on the erection ol new buildings on the grounds that, owing to the large increase in hospital levies during tne last tew years and the possibility of a further increase in the coming financial year, no further works should be carried out by the board until such time as either the Government is prepared to find the total cost of all capital expenditure by hospital boards or the boon' is able to make a substantial reduction in the hospital levy.” "BECOMING TOO HIGH” In moving the motion, the chairman. Councillor J. Corder, said that he considered Hospital Board expenditure was becoming too high at a time when everyone should be endeavouring to keep costs to a minimum. He was sure ail members of the council were agreed that everything possible should be done for the sick. He believed, however, that the necessary work could be done in a more economical way than was the case at present. The chairman added that he had been going carefully into the matter, but he did not see how the council could avoid an increase in its rates this year and the Hospital Board rates would also go up. He recalled that when he first joined the council its annual levy was about £1200; it was now well over £12.000. Councillor Mytton remarked that the council had done a wonderful job in getting through the past four years without having to raise the rates. He believed the chairman was adopting the right attitude towards the Hospital Board s expenditure at the present time. He seconded the motion. Was the chairman's motion in line with the attitude adopted by the council’s delegates to the conference called by the Hospital Board to discuss its building programme? asked Councillor Higgins. As far as he could remember the council representative at the conference did not actually speHk against the proposal to raise money to complete the work He wondered whether the local bodies had not left the Hospital Board in rather an awkward position. The cost of the work certainly seemed extreme, but the council should not object unless it had very strongly voiced the same opinions before work commenced. The chairman: "Has the work been commenced? The figures in the board’s letter are only estimates.” Councillor Higgins repeated that the council had to be fair to the board, although he agreed that the costs were beyond reason in every way. GOVERNMENT’S LIABILITY The chairman remarked that % he wanted to show the Government that the council was not enamoured of the idea of the high costs being borne by the ratepayers. They' should come from the Consolidated Fund. He assured Councillor Higgins that at the conference called by the Hospital Board he had objected strongly to the high costs and the incidence of taxation. Councillor H. C. Beuks supported the resolution. He considered that if the work was put off for several years costs would be greatly reduced. He was in favour of the motion, but w-ould not like to see it put through if the council had more or less approved the work, said Councillor F. Hodgkinson. Councillor C. R. Sutton remarked that he was concerned with what the public's attitude would be a little later on. The chairman had said the council’s own rates would have to be increased. the Hospital Board rates would go up and there .was in addition the new' Catchment Board rate. "I’m prepared to say our total rates will be increased between 50 and 75 per cent, on last year, ’ he added. "I think we should let the Government know* that we believe hospital costs should come from the Consolidated Fund or the Social Security Fund,” Strong opposition to the hospital rates being- raised entirely from ratepayers was also expressed by Councillor E. S. Vv ratt. Councillor Higgins said that in view of the • chairman’s assurance that the council had previously opposed the Hospital Board’s proposals lie would support the motion, which was put and carried unanimously.