HOSPITAL LEVIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23263, 4 February 1939, Page 14

HOSPITAL LEVIES

OBJECTION BY FARMERS THREAT TO WITHHOLD RATES EXECUTIVE ASKED TO ACT [BY TELEGRArn —OWN CORRESPONDENT] DARGAVILLE. Friday Unanimous endorsement of a remit that the Dominion executive take a plebiscite of all branch .members to ascertain if they would be in favour of refusing to pay all rates until the levying of rates on land for hospital purposes was abolished, was given by delegates attending the Northern Wairoa sub-provincial conference of the Farmers' Union at Ruawai.

Delegates also strongly supported a remit that the executive take immediate steps to organise the union into a solid fighting* force capable of obtaining from any Government reasonable justice for its members. The remit was sponsored by the Upper Wairoa branch, which asked that the Dominion executive circularise all branches asking if they were in favour of adopting a policy for the removal of many grave injustices and that if a three-fifths majority were in favour of such a policy would they loyally support the executive in giving notice to the Government that after March 31. 1939, all members refuse to pay rates until the levying of rates on land for hospital purposes was abolished. It was pointed o'ut that members were fully alivrj to the necessity for similar action in regard to other injustices, but that members had given abolition of hospital rating priority as they were insistent that such abolition should synchronise with the commencement of the Social Security scheme on April 1. Delegates also decided to protest to the Government against the constant growth oi the hospital rate being passed on to the ratepayers.