HOSPITAL LEVY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24914, 29 June 1946, Page 2

HOSPITAL LEVY

AKITIO COUNTY FAILS TO PAY

(P.A.) . MASTERTON, June 28. Describing the attitude of the Akitio County Council in defaulting in its payment of the quarterly hospital levy as “childish, hopeless, and unconstitutional,” members of the Wairarapa Hospital Board were critical to-day of the attitude taken by the council. It was decided to inform the council that it wls obliged to make the payment. The Akitio County Council was the only one which had defaulted in payment of the levy, said Mr Norman Lee.

managing-secretary. “It is utterly childish and unconstitutional,” said Mr W. B. Martin. “It is coming down to the level of a strike. There is no need to enforce rights in a democratic country. It is regrettable that any members of the council should c untenance such action.” “It is a pity that the council does

not pay,” said Mr J. F. Thompson. “It is a futile and hopeless attitude. Nothing can be achieved by it. The law is there and if everyone defaults payment, the patients are the ones who will suffer. Also, it hampers the work of the board.

The Carterton Borough Council and the Greytown Borough Couricil. while protesting against the levy, paid their quota.