PROTEST TO GOVERNMENT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 125, 29 May 1942, Page 6

PROTEST TO GOVERNMENT

HOSPITAL TAXATION "The incidence of hospital taxation is all wrong," said Mr. L. J. Coakley I at last night's meeting of the Auckland City Council when hospital rates were under discussion. Mr. C. J. Lovegrovc, at a previous meeting, had asked if representations could be made to the Government for relief of the city from the ever increasing burden of hospital rates, particular attention to be directed to the fact that local ratepayers were now being obliged to make contributions to hospital maintenance of members of the armed forces. He suggested that the State should now bear the whole incidence of hospital costs. On the recommendation of the finance committee it was decided: "That the Prime Minister be advised that with the inauguration of the social security system, the council is of the opinion that there appears to be no justification for the cost of treatment to be borne by hospital boards with consequent heavy increase in the lew imposed upon local bodies, and that the full charge for treatment and care of members of the armed forces in public hospitals should be a charge upon the Government; and. further, that it be indicated that the ever-increasing demands imposed upon ratepayers seriously prejudice the legitimate works of the city."