TAXATION FOR HOSPITALS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22523, 4 October 1938, Page 10

TAXATION FOR HOSPITALS

REQUEST BY MAYOR OF

WELLINGTON

ATTITUDE OF CHKISTCHURCH

CITY COUNCIL

The Christchurch City Council does not intend, for the present, to join with the Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. C. A. Hislop) in asking for an increase in the Government's contribution to the expenses of hospital administration throughout the Dominion. Recently Mr Hislop wrote to the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr K. M. Macfarlane) asking for his support in making representations to the Government for an increased allocation to hospitals, so that the burden on ratepayers might be lightened.

This request wao considered by the finance committee of the council, which reported to the' council last night that it had investigated the position in Christchurch. In Wellington, according to Mr Hislop's statement, taxation for hospital administration had increased from 9.11s a head for the year ended March 31, 1936, to 14.2s a head for the year ending March 31, 1939. It had been ascertained, the finance committee stated, that the average levy in Christchurch over the period quoted by Mr Hislop was 8s 4d a head. A reply had therefore been sent stating that as the levy a head in Christchurch was considerably lower than in Wellington, and as the general position about the distribution of hospital expenses would be materially altered by the Government's social security scheme, the committee did not consider it would be justified in making representations to the Government at present.

This reply w"as approved by the council.