BOROUGH PROTESTS

Chronicle (Levin), 16 July 1946, Page 4

BOROUGH PROTESTS

Increased Hospital Levy PRESENT SVSlkiM UNJUST Sharing the concern of other local bouies throughout the Dominion at the manner in whieii hospxtal taxation is soaring, the Levin Borough Counch tieciu^u a special meeting xast evening to maKe a strong protest. Tne levy on the councii for the year entlmg March 31, 1947, is £2bu5, a rise of £1353 on the 1945-1946 years. In cpnsequence the hospital rate to be levieil has been increased lrom i.4ti. in the £1 for tne 1945-46 vear to 2.id. for tne current year.

The Mayor (Mr. H. B. Buraekm) said tnac county counciis tnroughouvNew Zealand were feeiing very sore over tne whoie quesuon of nospitai taxation. It was time the councii looked into the matter, and pernaps its representative on tne r-aimcrston North Hospital Board (Mr. G. A. Monk) couia pe asked to discuss it. Some local boaies, like the councii, had an up-to-aate vaiuaticn, whereas others had pre-war valuations. The Mayor mamtained that all local bocues snould be on a vaiuation of the same period if hospital taxation was to have any reievancy. Cr. F. E. Parker: It snould not be on land and bricks at aii. Tne Mayor: I agree, but until we get down to something like a oelligerent attitude , to it, the levies will continue to go up and up. It would serve a usefui purpose if we met Mr. Monk .some time and discussed it wiin him. When we see our levy go up from £1612 to £2965 in one year, it is time to cali a hait. The incidence of hospital levies is wrong. Cr. .Parker: It should be on population. The Mayor: That is the sound and iogicai way. We can protest oy asking that the levies on all local bodies in a hospital district oe based on a vaiuation of the same period. The whole system of hospital taxation is unj ust and mequitable. The councii decided to write to the Minister, protesting against hospital taxation being levied_ on an old vaiuation in the case of "one local body in a hospital district and on an up-to-date vaiuation in the case of another. Also, against the whole incidence of hospital taxation, pointing out that the only i'air way was 011 a population basis. "