HOSPITAL LEVIES.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16858, 11 June 1920, Page 5

HOSPITAL LEVIES.

0 PRESENT METHOD CEITICISED. One of the remits put on tho agenda paper at the Farmers' Union Provincial Conference yesterday dealt with tlio method o£ raising revenue lor hospital and charitable aid purposes. Mr G. W. T-ieadley (Ashburton) moved: — "That the present method of raising revenue for hospital and charitablo aid solely on the rateable value of land is unfair in its iicidence and should bo discontinued, and a system by which all classes of accumulated wealth would contribute its quota, should be substituted therefor." Mr Leauley said that right through New Zealand there was discontent over the manner of levying contributions for hospital maintenance. In the past about £500,000 had been collected annually from contributing bodies, but this year the sum might bo nearer £750,000. Tho assessment for hospital rate was made on tho land tax value, but several centrcs had had no revaluation for a number of years. He contended that there wo-r? classes of accumulated wealth which should bo brought in as contributors to hospitals and charitable aid. Men who had large sums of money invested in war bonds and in business investments should be brought in to bear a fair share. Mr Jones, M.P.: That income should bo rated as well as land? Mr Leadley Gaid that was what he meant. Ho considered the time was more than ripe when some step should be taken to make the burden of hospital taxation more equitable. Mr Seth-Smith seconded the motion. Mr D. Bates suggested that, the remit should bo referred to the various branches for consideration. Ho was inclined to favour tho proposal that hospital revenue should ccme out of the Consolidated Fund, but ho did not think the Government could talis the full burden on its shoulders, a3 it had so many other obligations just now. Mr G. Sheat agreed that business men did not pay a fair proportion of hospital rates compared to what the min on tho land paid, and that should be remedied. However, tho tendency to-day was to cry to the Government to pay for everything out of consolidated revenue. Unkos they could give the Government pome suggestion as to where the necessary revenue should come from, what was the good of going to the Government?

The chairman: Tho motion saye it should conic from all accumulated wealth. Mr Shcat: But my point is that unless tho money comes through the Consolidated Fii'hd everybody will not bo taxed for a fair contribution. Mr R. Evans (a member of the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Boafd) said that the incrcdsins expenditure in connexion with hospitals could not possibly bo stopped. The present method of rating, he admitted, vras unfair, and it should be on tho population, instead of on land value. The motion wag carried. ,