THE NEW HOSPITAL LOAN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 48, 16 February 1943, Page 4

THE NEW HOSPITAL LOAN

JUST what the proposed new loan of £45,000, for hospital purposes will mean to the burgesses of Whakatane, has given the Borough Councillors a shock from which they are not likely to recover in a hurry: It was patent from what the Mayor said that the Hospital rate following the new loan was likely to cost the Borough ratepayers almost as much as the whole of the administrative services of the Borough. This comparison alone should give added weight to the representations which are to be made to the Government. Doubtless a surprise also awaits the County Council from the same source. The incident but serves to show the ridiculous state of affairs which is beginning to obtain throughout the length and breadth of this country, in spite of the social security levy and in spite of the wider medical attention and home nursing. The burden on an industrial Borough such as Whakatane is becoming intolerable and breaking point must be reached in the near future unless something is done to relieve the situation. It would be well for Whakatane ratepayers to realise that though the 40 per cent, rise this year is bad enough <it is by no means likely to end their troubles. No provision has been made for the ward as yet, and also it is a recognised thing that the greater institution the more expensive becomes the staffing problem. Thus a regular viscious circle is set up and the citizens of this town would be well advised to put their fullest weight behind the measure to bring the whole one-sided problem to the notice of the Government itself, and to demand some relief or a counter solution.