HOSPITAL LEVY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23621, 3 April 1940, Page 8

HOSPITAL LEVY

NO INCREASE IN RATE Xt —— EFFECT OF ECONOMIES ASSURANCE BY- CHAIRMAN For the second year in succession, tliore will be nn increase in the rats of tho lorv imposed upon contributing local bodies for the maintenance of the Auckland Hospital. It is understood that the financial year has.closed -with n large surplus, far in excess of tho £3232 at March 31, 1939, which was the Hospital Board's first credit balance in nine years..

The 1940-41 estimates will be considered by the hoard at a meeting on Monday night and, discussing the prospects last night, the chairman, Mr. Allan J. Moody, said it was now certain that there would be no increase in the present levy. All departments had co-operated with ,|he board by assist--ing m the policy of economy and bv checking all unnecessary and wasteful expenditure. Kven vol, there was much to be done and, although there would be heavy expenditure to be faced, the next 12 months would still shop/ further improvement.

Efficiency of Hospital "No one can fairly suggest that tlw ; efficiency of the hospital has been impaired by this policy," Mr. Moody continued. "In fact. I make hold-to claim that the standard of care and atten- ' tion at the hospital has never been so high as at present; nor has the staff been more content. The present board has realised that/ in these times of stress the ratepayers have to be considered, and it will not be stampeded into any expenditure unless it is absolutely necessary and in the interests of the sick." Every endeavour-was being made to reduce the levy and. if it was humanly possible, this would be done. However, the local contributing authorities must not expect too much and he trusted they would be more than satisfied with the assurance that there would be no increase. Wisdom of. Bold Policy Mr. Moody added that the policy carried out by the board during the two years since it?election should make it more than possible for the rates levied by local bodies to be reduced. No longer could the Hospital Board be the target at which to shoot and to which to transfer the blame if local authorities refused to reduce their own rateti. It had been thought by some last year when the board did not increase the levy that a mistake was being mad?. However, events had justified the decision reached on that occasion and had showed the wisdom of a bold policy.