HOSPITAL RATES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 62, 8 June 1942, Page 5

HOSPITAL RATES

RISE IN TEN YEARS

RKMAUKAJJLK COMPARISONS

Some of the data submitted, to the Local Body Conference at WliakaLane last Thursday regarding the rising burden of hospital levies was most illuminaling the lour hospital districts in the Bay of Plenty show increases rising from 300 per cent, to 500 per cent. Details are:— 1933-34 1912-43 Tauranga £2,210 £10,079 Opotiki 1,172 2,14(> Rotorua 1,590 4,095 Whakatane 2,085 9,974 From the above it is obvious that Whakatane has suffered: more than any of the other three. The rise in the number of occupied beds is also' a further indication of the Hospital population and the following figures are of interest:— 1937-38 1941-42 Tauranga .37.3 57.8 Opotiki 13.5 31 Whakatane 3(5.41 G1.35 The cost per bed per dajr over the same period has shown a similar increase. details being:— 1937-38 1941-42 Tauranga 10/10 14/4 Opotiki 12/0 14/10 Whakatane 11/1 17/1 Representatives Views Messrs F. W. Doidge and W. Sullivan. M.P.'s, and Mr B. C. Rob-, bins, M.L.C., spoke after representative speakers had aired' their views. "In this atmosphere of sweet reasonableness I cannot quite understand why Mr Sullivan and I are here to-day," said Mr F. W. Doidge. "I take it that while none of you seek to enbarass the Government it is only too clear that the Government docs not mind embarassing you! However I think that Ave are all agreed that you have a ease and a good one 1 . I expect that you will expect Mr Sullivan and I to l make representations on your behalf AA'hen the opportunity presents: itself. I ha\'e taken copious notes and! I think Ave can be depended: upon tci do this. They Avere not there to talk but rather to listen and he could assure those present that they had gained valuable information which Avouldi give them material for putting up a good ease from the floor of the House.

Mr W. Sullivan said the question was one which had agitated the minds of local bodies over a period of many years 1 and he believed the Government was actually] desirous of meeting the position to some extent. It was* a question of how it was to be done. He suggested three alternative (a) pegging the rate to the 1937-38 figure, (b) to nationalise the service in the same manner as was the education system or (c) to increase the subsidy on maintenance and capital costs. The* whole position had been brought about by a change in the programme and policy of the Government and it was therefore reasonable to ask for a change in the incidence of taxation likewise. Mr B. G. Robbins favoured the idea National Art Unionsi to offset the cost of hospital expenditure. Such a method we knew was contrary to a big section of public opinion, but it Avas sheer liypocracy: to deny that gambling Avas; going on in eA r ery Avalk of lift*' to-day. Why not put the habit to some use by giA'ing it concrete form and by using the profits', for a good and laudable end.