HOSPITAL RATING TO REMAIN ON THE LAND

Chronicle (Levin), 22 June 1946, Page 8

HOSPITAL RATING TO REMAIN ON THE LAND

' —Press Association

^ ^ Deputatien Eels Nowhere With Prime Minister

. . By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, June 21. _ Loeal body taxation with partienlar reference to hospital 5 rating, was discussed by the Prime Minister, Hoh. P. 'Fraser, today, when a deputation representing the Mnnieipal Asspciation of New "Zealand and New Zeliland Oounties' Assoeiation met him and the -; Minister of ' Health (Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer) and Minister -of Internal Alfairs. (Hon. W. E. Parry), This deputation asked for the implementation of the reeommendati'on made in the report of the Loeal Govennment Commission * last year" and requested that the recommendations deaJing with hospifal rating should be made priority number oue. In his reply Mr. Fraser said that while he did not say that everything coiild remain as it was at presen«t, people who uiidertoolv responsibility in respect to land should not be relieved of that to their own personal gain at the expcnse of,the community. Mr. Fraser also said that there would be an opportmiity for a full discussion of the main question by Parliament and the Govemment would announee its policy later. He made it c'lcar, however, that any poli'cy aiinounecment would not affect the position during the present year. ' Mr. Fraser said they eould not have mob riile — evqn if it wereloeal body rule. People eould do all sorts of things and mahe things awkward for the Government in many ways but they eould not allow hospital patients to suffer. He had no objoction to people putting every e'ffort into an attcmpt to.get the Government out of office if they thought it unjust but it should be' done acoording to the existing demoeratic system. The question was not'an casy oue and much consideration was necessary before any deeision should he taken'to alter a system that had been in operation for many years. There -was a considerahle divergence of opinion on the whole suhject. 'Mr. Fraser added that hemould not see there would he any ultimate benefit to people by a reduction of hospital rating on the land. If the tax came off the land it had to go on somewhere else.