HOSPITAL TAXATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 19, 24 October 1944, Page 5

HOSPITAL TAXATION

COUNTY DELEGATES' VIEWS

PRESENT SYSTEM, CONDEMNED

The incidence of hospital taxation ay as discussed at the ward con'-< fcrence, of delegates of ten county councils in Tauranga recently when it was decided that the Counties' Association's' proposals in connection Avith the problem be adopted subject to local control being maintained . The policy of the association with regard to this question was that the existing method of hospital rating be, abolished- The asociation also felt that the basis ol ; capital value was unsoundj that it was not founded on, ability to pay and that such a value Avas at the mercy of the whims of, A r aluers. Other proposals of the asociation that the conference faA r oured AA r ere, that, the existing system be replaced by one based on the income, salaries and Avages of all adults, i.n -receipt of these; the collection of boith National and Social Security moneys had been successful and the association felt that after the. termination of the war sufficient, of the present national say 2d or 3d in the pound be retained to rer place the levies now being paid by the contributing authorities; that all capital both past and fushould lie the responsibility of the. GoA'crnmcnt; that the building of hospitals Avas a national job especially Avhen labour and materials Avere so difficult to obtain outside the departmental sphere; that until the above three planks of policy Avere put into operation thereshould be a marked increase in the occupied bed subsidy to offset the enormous rise in costs. Native Rates The question of the, non-payment of hospital rates by NatiA r es Avas also discussed and it Avas pointed out that the payers of such rates haA r c to pay their own plus, a share of the non-payers —a most unfair posi-. tion, Avliicli Avould practically dis:appear if hospital rates Ave,re assessed on income salary and wagesi It Avas decided that each County Council should prepare a statement coA-ering the last ten years showing the percentage of hospital rate to the total of the county rate, and submit it to the Counties' Association. "All Concerned'* "We are all concerned about the hospital said Mr C. W. Parfitt (Hauraki Plains) Avho thought it Avould not be any cheaper under a new system. The aim should be at stabilising the rate. He did not think it Avas any use asking for total abolition and Avas, quite, cer-i tain that the only Avay to get any relief Avas to try and haA*c some system of stabilisation. Association's Proposals "That it is essential to maintain local control of hospitals by locallyelected boards; that, the hospital rate be stabilised at a maximum of not more than a farthing in the pound on the capital A 7 alue; that, the government undertake all capital expenditure; that the incidence, of hospital rates as between rural and" urban areas be adjusted so that populous areas should carry a more equitable share than at Avas the motion moved by Mr E. D. White, chairman of the Matamata County Avhen discussing another aspect of this subject. This was seconded by Mr D. Courtney, chairman of the Thames County Council. An amendment, that the Counties' Association's suggestions be adoptsubject to local control being retained ) Avas moved by Mr W. A. chairman, of the Opotiki County Council and seconded by Mr A. E. Martin (Opotiki). On being put to the meeting the amendment that the Counties' Association's proposals be adopted Avas carried on a show of hands 11 AOtI 3 \ ing for it and eight against.