CITY COUNCIL CLAIM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 164, 17 July 1946, Page 4

CITY COUNCIL CLAIM

REFUND FOR EXCESS PAID IN HOSPITAL RATING AMOUNT EXCEEDS £10,500 Fullowing a protest at the increase in the rating levy for hospital purposes, the Wanganui City Council claimed a reft..id of more than £40,500 for hospital tales collected in excess of the maximum recommended by the Select Committee of Parliament in its report to the Government on local body affairs. Acting in accordance with a resolution carried at ijs June meeting, the council also urged the Government to adopt the committee's recommendations -without delay. The council expressed alarm al the persistent increase in hospital rating. Acknowledging the council's application for a refund, the Minister of Health (Mr. Nordmeyer) stated in a letter received by the council at its monthly meeting last night that the question of hospital levies was to be discussed in Parliament. The Government’s decisions would then be made known. The Municipal Association of New Zealand, in a letter, stated that with the New Zealand Counties' Association it had formed a deputation which waited on the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry). The Prime Minister told the deputation that the incidence of hospital rating would be discussed by Pailiament before any policy announcement was made regarding the Government's altitude to the Select Committee',; report The present year's levies should be struck, as nothing would affect the position for the current rating year. The correspondence was received.