HOSPITAL DE-RATING

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5941, 10 May 1944, Page 2

HOSPITAL DE-RATING

MEETING AT PATERANGI MESSRS MACKY AND JOHNSON WILL NOT SUPPORT FARMERS’ UNION ACTION There was an attendance of over 40 present at a meeting of ratepayers and others at the Paterangi Hall last night when the question of hospital rating was discussed. Mr W. S. Germann was voted to the chair. Messrs A. E. Bryant (president), W. J. Hodgson, and H. R. Clarke, of the Farmers’ Union, placed the views of the Union before the meeting. Mr C. S. B. Macky, chairman of the Waipa County Council, and Mr J. T. Johnson, a member of the Council, addressed the meeting. Both speakers admitted that the rate was an unjust charge, but they opposed the proposed action of not striking the hospital rate on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. The arguments for and against were advanced by the speakers along the lines now familiar with all who have followed the controversy.

A number of questions were asked and freely answered. A motion that the meeting support Messrs Macky and Johnson was countered by an amendment which was carried by 21 to 15. A number of those present did not vote. The meeting terminated with a vote .of thanks to the speakers and the chairman.