HOSPITAL LEVIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 266, 30 July 1918, Page 8

HOSPITAL LEVIES

PROTESTS BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES

GOOD MAY RESULT

Tho ''Journal of the Department of Public Health" contains an article on tho recent protests of local bodies against hospital levies. Follows an extract from the report;—

It may be argued by the cynic: Of what use are such conferences? The result is a foregone conclusion, and the local authorities have lo pay up and look pleasant. Such an argument, however, is unsound. In both cases, after thoroughly discussing the matters and considering llio figures produced and reasons advanced for the increase in tho levies, tho objecting authorities resolved that they did not wish to proceed further and incur the expense of the appointment of a Commissioner to go into the matter, though 111 the ease of Wellington it. was resolved to ask the board to reconsider its estimates with a view to ascertaining whether any items could be reduced,

Further, suoh discussions and criticisms stimulate boards to overhaul their methods of administration and place I heir houses in order if need be. Boards realise as the result of such protests that their methods are keenly watched and criticised by those responsible for raising tho funds. In both ea«es the discussions were carried out without any unpleasantness or personalities. The delegates of tho local bodies recognised that the members of tho boards gave much valuable timo lo their duties without remuneration or reward, and the protests were lodged only Wauso they recognised that they owed :t duty to tlie ratepayers who had'to lind the money.

In neither case, generally spoaking, did the discussion which ensued and the figures produced by the boards disclose any great (xtravagance, and in some directions considerable ceonomv in methods of administration was evidenced.

'I'ho increaso in hospital and charitablo aid expenditure lias been a universal one, the principal reasons beiug: (a) Tlie increased functions that have had to he undertaken by boards, e.g., bacteriology, X-rays, dental treatment, _ venereal diseases, maternity wards, public health, and district musing; (b) tho great increase in tho cost of ail commodities since the war; (c) the steady increase in ihe number of occupied beds; and (d) tho re heed rate of subsidy. As regards the basis upon which subsidy is given, tho Minister informed both conferences that he would endeavour to Ret tho Act amended in the direction of tho rate of subsidy being determined by tho rate of levy upon tho rateable capital value of tho districts, the subsidy being increased or lowered, as tho ease might be, so as to tend to a uniform levy being struck on the rateable property throughout the Dominion. Tho mmouncenient Rave unanimous satisfaction, and both conference passed resolutions supporting tho Minister's proposals. The Minister was emphatic in his advice to tho two boards that greater attention should be paid to tho collection of patients' fees. Much of the apparent increase in foes collected, it was found, was due to payments by the Department for tho treatment of soldiers. Beyond this, at: Wellington, tho amount spent in salaries and wages was the only item that could bo taken exception to. The Minister advised the board to appoint a business manager for tho whole of its institutions, who would thoroughly overhaul tho entire organisation and ensure that the board was getting full value for its money in every direction.