HOSPITAL LEVY SOARS

Chronicle (Levin), 15 June 1946, Page 4

HOSPITAL LEVY SOARS

Couniy's Incfease Is £2128 The Palmerston North Hospital Bbatd lias adViSfed that the total levy required from the ( Hor5 whenua Ciitifity Council for 1946-47 would be £9898, an increase oi £2128, or about 27 per cent, Oh that levied for 1945-46. The amount is made up of £8678 for maintenance and £1220 for capital levies. Commenting on this at a meeting of the council yesterday, the chairman (Mr. G. A. Monk) saia that the compuisory rise in- wages had increased the boSt of local body administration, particularly that df t; hospital bbards. It was the general orend of hospital expenditure ifi New Zealand— an increase of 33 •td 50 per cent. Mr. Monk referred to the present system of raising the finance for the upkeep of hospitals in New Zealand as "antiquated." The responsibility should be altogether removed from the, land, and hosj pital expenses Shotild be paid through the State. That was wnere it should coftie frotn— throtigh the peofile. No one could give an adequate reason for the present system; the Minister of Finance had said that it was because of ability to pay, which was not the case. The cost of upkeep of New Zealand hospitals had risen tremendously. He viewed with dismay. the everincreasihg costs ih primary aricl secondary industry. The practical way of dealing with the situation was to reduce costs and not to mcrease wages. The people were no oetter off, as a consequence of the increased costs. Reasons for the rising hospital costs were the ^ mcrease in size and modern nnprovements to hospitals, condiuions which were general throughjut the Dominion. A letter from the New Zealand Counties' Association in regard_ to che matter said that as yet npthing had been done in the negotiations go alleviate the position, in spite of all efforts. It was felt that thfe Government did not realise the "gravity of the situation. It was urged that the matter be considered as a subject of gfeat importance to the public. Cr. A. J. Gimblett reported on the work of the Palmerston North Hospital,' particularly as to the tuberculosis patients. The work done by che district nurses should be considered in reviewing the costs. The Palmerston North Hospital Board was doing just as much, if not more ■ than any 'other board in New Zealand. It had been said that Palmerston North was getting pnonty in the matter of maternity beds, but the home there was not adequate. It was doubtful whether the hospital' could carry on without ah increased levy. The greater part of the levy was taken up with wages.

The Manawatu Executive of tne New Zealand Federated Farmers wrote requesting that the council oppose any increase in the hospital rating, and qssured the cbuncil of the executive's full support in th'e matter. The letter further stated that it was felt that the hostility of farmers to further increases in hospital rating should be brought to the notice of county councils in the Manawatu and adjacent districts. In expressing his pleasure at the support of the Federated Farmers, Mr. Monk said that it should be oorne in mind that property owners in the cities and towns were also bearing the burden.