RATE TO BE STRUCK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 95, 3 August 1945, Page 5

RATE TO BE STRUCK

CURRENT HOSPITAL LEVY

•COUNTY COUNCIL'S DECISION

following the recent agitation •of the Farmers' Union against the* striking of the hospital rate for 1945-46, the Whakatane 'County Council after holding the •matter up for two months decided to be guided by the decision of the Counties Conference last week and to strike the raite for the current year f with) the idea of working up a plan of a more effective campaign within the next 12 months in the event of the Government not taking satisfactory steps to relieve the situation. The chairman (Mr J .L. Burnett) -said that the matter was given great prominence at the conference. The conference was addressed by Messrs R. J. Glasgow and W. J. Thomas of the Farmers' Union, and by Mr M. E. Lyons, Chairman of the -Christchurch City Council Finance /Committee. The matter of the incidence of hospital rating was then exhaustively debated the conference finally carrying the following resolution : "That in the event of the counties not being given considerable relief as the result of the Parliamentary Select Committee's report? there be an immediate meeting of county council representatives to decide what action should be taken. Under-all the circumstances, it apypeared to him that tjie only thing to do was to strike the rate and to trust better things were in store for "the ratepayers next year. Cr Burt declared he was disappointed, and suggested that rather than raising the rate ? the increase should be met out of the general lund. It would certainly relieve the burden. The chairman: It would mean, if we did that that the maintenance rate would be cut down and the roads would suffer. Cr Burt: We can't help that. We make a profit every year—why couldn't we take some of that? Cr Butler contended that it was impossible to judge money round dirom. separate funds. The only real way of relieving the position was by ran increased Government subsidy. Cr McGougan: Something's got to be (done. .We've started this thing and we shouldn't let it rest. What •was the consensus of opinion at the county conference. The chairman: My impression was that the majority were definitely against direct action. Cr McGougan: We've gone so far ■ —unless we do something •we'll fiever make headway. The chairman: I'm not sure whether we would have the backing of all counties, but judging from the temper of the conference, if there are no satisfactory measures forthcoming from the Government the Association will certainly join forces in forcing the issue. Cr Burt: It'll be up another penny next year. The Clerk: You mean the levy Will be £12,000. Cr Burt: Yes. • The chairman: The only thing is -to safeguard again-st further capital expenditure at the hospital. Cr McGougan: 1 can assure the meeting that when a big buildipg programme is embarked on, new wards and other the Board is in a most awkwjird position. There is not a thing considered which is not essential and yet ex--9 penses must be met to bring >the institution up to standard. It just can't be helped, these things are essential and we just have to have -them. Cr Luxton criticised the architecture and estimates when so many extras were involved. There appeared to be something wrong when so many other essentials cropped up continually and it was costing the ratepayers a lot of money. He did not blame the Board but the new expense which had to lie met now should have been provided for. In moving that the rate be struck, the. chairman expressed his regret, but observed that he could not see any support forthcoming from other counties if they refused. In moving the motion he entered an emphatic protest, and added that the council desired to assure the ratepayers that it "would make a desperate effort next year to effcct some redress.