THE WAIPA POST. TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1920. Published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. HOSPITAL BOARD LEVIES.

Waipa Post, Volume XII, Issue 943, 18 May 1920, Page 4

THE WAIPA POST. TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1920. Published on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. HOSPITAL BOARD LEVIES.

THE discussion which is taking place amongst the local bodies of the Dominion as to the collection of t levies for the Hospital Boards provides scope for much earnest consideration by the public. Under the existing system the Hospital Boards merely compute the estimated sums required during a financial year and make an apportionment amongst the local bodies on the basis of capital values for the required amount, less Government subsidy. Without any ado, the local body must accept the liability and pay it either out. of general revenue or by the collection of a general rate. t At first sight such a system may appear quite equitable, but in operation it proves full of inequalities' and disadvantages. It is presumed, no doubt, that this manner of collecting the hospital revenue effects an economy, and, in one way, it must do so. The routine of collection is simplified, and the Board itself is relieved of a great deal of work and worry. But on the other hand Hospital Boards .are removed from the taxpayer. It is very open to question whether there would not be greater real economy if the public had more direct association with the Boards. With things as tliey are, few people realise that they are paying for the administration of the Hospital Boards; they pay rates to the Borough Council or County Council, and are usually unaware of the fact that the hospital allocation is hidden away in the local body'? demand. Therefore the Hospital Board is very largely immune from public opinion or criticism, and nobody worries whether its rates are extravagant or reasonably economical. But if, on the other hand, people paid separate rates to the Hospital Board there would, at least, be a check on any suggestion of lavish expenditure. Taking all things into account, it would' unquestionably be better were the local bodies relieved of the liability. The cost of direct collection from the people would be more than counterbalanced by the value of a heaithy public opinion in this important department of pubiic administration. Nor is this the only reason prompting the clamouring for reform in existing systems. Wiruout a universal revaluation on which to bass the assessments grave inequalities arise. The case of the county of Wavpa—with a 1919 valuation, and the Te Awamutu borough—with a valuation seven years old —is merely typical. Moreover, the burden of hospital expenditure falls only upon those who are liable for rates due to local bodies, whereas the hospital exists for the public generally.' A great deal of the wealth of the Dominion is immune from loeal bodies taxation, and hence the hospital levy is disproportionate in its The whole system requires adjustment and re-modelling in order to remove the flaws which time and experience 'have proved it to contain. In the'consideration of the hospitals generally it becomes increasingly evident that centralisation is not advantageous to the large majority of the people, and is particularly unjust in the country districts. Greater centralisation is going on, the base hospitals are being,, enlarged, and the country districts are remaining as isolated as ever. Out of the rates from the district adjacent to Te Awamutu just over £2OOO is paid annually to the Waikato Hospital Board. That, with Government subsidy, yields revenue for hospital purposes of something like £4OOO. Yet what consideration has the Hospital Board shown to the legitimate requirements of this district in the past. Beyond question''the Waikato hospital is of chief benefit to the people of Hamilton and the residents within striking distance of the institution; and therefore, in common fairness, the basis of revenue should be on a .graduated scale, so that those who derive the chief benefit should pay most. And if payment were to regulate according to benefits derived, the districts centering on Te Awamutu ■would make only a nominal contribution, for the simple reason that their interest in the hospital could be but nominal, remembering, as we must, that the Hospital Board has declined any and every request for facilities in the dstricts —facilities which which have been ungrudgingly paid for year after year.