HOSPITAL FINANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1929, Page 8

HOSPITAL FINANCE.

No one will quarrel with the suggestion of the Minister of Health (Hon. A; J. Stallworthy) that he discuss with hospital boards and other local bodies an improvement of the present system of taxation for hospital maintenance and upkeep. Nor need there be any' time wasted upon comparison's between the voluntary contribution system which obtains in other countries. That carries w r ith it the atmosphere of charity which, fortunately, hospitals in New Zealand have been kept free of. Public opinion in this country demands the best equipment and staffing for all who require hospital treatment, irrespective of their social standing or ability to pay for the attention they receive. What is causing a good deal of concern is how to arrive, at the most equitable method of obtaining the necessary finance. At 'present this is through contribution’s from local authorities, in other words tlie ratepayers, with a subsidy from tlie State. The increase in the rate during the past decade has been very large, and there seems little chance of any reduction. The suggestion has 'been made that hospital maintenance should be a charge upon general taxation, possibly through increased Customs duties, in order that all members of the community may bear their share in the cost of hospital upkeep. This aspect of the matter was not dealt with by Mr. Stall worthy, but it is one that merits investigation, provided the system of local control is not interfered with, admittedly a difficult matter to arrange if all charges are borne by the Consolidated Fund. At all events it is satisfactory to note that the weaknesses of the present system are recognised by the Ministry, and that it is realised also that any changes made must bo after full"discussion with the local authorities who are so intimately concerned with and responsible for the existing high standard of hospital maintenance.