DECLARED PREMATURE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 14, 6 October 1944, Page 5

DECLARED PREMATURE

MONGANUI COUNTY'S ACTION

HOSPITAL RATING ISSUE

Indication that it considered the stand made by the Monganui County Council against the levying of the Hospital rate? as somewhaft premature and independent was shown by the Whae katane County Council at its last when with the exception of onei ? declared that the time was not yet ripe to make a united' stand against this unpopular system. Cr McCready who introduced the subject declared that Whakatane should solidly back the Council which had pioneered the movement to make a stand. Monganui had been plucky enough to put the sentiments; of all County Councils into action, and for that they admiration. He considered Whakatane should at least offer them encouragement by indicating their sympathies here with them in the fight. By showing a bold united front the farmers could obtain the redress they desired. It Avas the only way the government understood.

Cr McCracken thought that the farmers were not united sufficiently yet to call a showdown. Monganui had been premature. Big moves were now in progress for combining all farmers. When this was complete they could speak with a united voice and with authority. Until they were properly organised and properly led however they would ge.t nowhere. At the present time four separate organisations were drawing membership fees from the farming community—the Dairy Board, the National Dairy Association, the Farmers' Union and the Dairy Producers' Association. UntiJ they were under a common head there could be no hope of fighting a question like hospital rating.

Cr Burt: We were all in favour of it before the election. Now we've already struck our rates. Monganui have started the ball and have already received a letter from the Minister cutting out subsidies. If there is any proposal before the meeting I'm going to support it. I'm not backing down!

Cr Wardlaw: There is no backing down. We have obtained a clearcr view that's ail. It's easy to talk but it's foolish to do these things before we. have unity. The chairman: When the whole question is well backed and organised we can accomplish things. Perhaps next year the, time will be ripe to tackle, it in earnest.

Cr McCready: If the men overseas had as much grit as we've they wouldn't win a fight. As fax as the present Hospital Board goes it has no idea of stopping the expense. The new members went in on a ticket And not one of them is living up to it.. ! Gr McCracken: The problem 'that faces the primarj 7 producer is that he cannot pass on his taxation. The commercial man takes all liis costs into account and passes them on to the purchaser. It all comes back to the man who cannot pass it on —the who- cannot get rid of it. That's our problem today.