HOSPITAL RATING

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22353, 20 May 1944, Page 6

HOSPITAL RATING

ATTITUDE OF FARMERS WAIPA COUNTY CANDIDATES Mr H. D. MacDonald presided at a meeting at Ngahinapouri on Thursday convened by the local branch of the Farmers’ Union and attended by about 60 county electors. Hospital and other rating matters of concern to the farmers were discussed. Present at the meeting were Messrs A. E. Bryant (Orakau), F. L. Onion (Te Kowhai), S. C. B. Macky (Paterangi, and chairman of the Waipa County Council), who are candidates for the Waikato Hospital Board. Mr W. J. Hodgson (Hairini), who had taken a prominent part in the Farmers’ Union campaign against hospital rating of farm lands, was also present. Mr Bryant traversed the history of the campaign for abolition of the hospital rate, explaining in detail the Farmers’ Union viewpoint. Mr Macky, a sitting member of the Hospital Board, explained some of the difficulties that the board faced. He pointed out that previously 40 per cent of the board’s revenue was found by the ratepayers. Now. under the social security scheme, 23 per cent of the board’s funds come from ratepayers, 53 per cent from social security, 18 per cent from subsidies on rates, and 6 per cent from other sources, such as rents from reserves.

All three candidates for the Hospital Board said they were prepared to support the establishment of a small hospital at Te Awamutu, but Messrs Onion and Bryant were emphatic that that assurance was contingent on the abolition of the hospital rate or levy on lands. Not Unconstitutional Mr Hodgson pointed out that the Farmers’ Union policy of urging farmers to refuse to pay rates was not unconstitutional. It was not intended to break the law, but an emphatic protest had been forced upon the farmers.. Mr Macky said he would not pledge himself to vote against any increased expenditure on hospital maintenance. If he thought extra expenditure was justified he wjuld vote for it. After considerable questioning of candidates, the chairman, who is a candidate for the Tuhikaramea Riding on the Waipa County Council, offered to withdraw from the contest if the sitting member, Mr Neil Reid, would undertake to fight for the abolition of hospital rating up to the stage where the Farmers’ Umon had taken it at present. Mr Reid refused to give such a pledge.