WHO IS TO PAY?

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 172, 15 April 1919, Page 6

WHO IS TO PAY?

EXPENSE OF EPIDEMIC RECRUDESCENCE. .

In the case of the influenza epidemic of last year the Government saw that in order to check tho inroads of the disense, it would have to take tho lead, so that it offered to foot tho bill, whatever tile bill amountod to. The fact that some of the accounts have not yet been 1 paid by the Government hardly affects the position. Tho Minister of Public Health has fully replied to that phase of the question. What is puzzling responsible authorities throughout .New Zealand at the present time is the question aa to who is to pay the bill in tho case of a recrudescence of the epidemic. Th® matter concerns every lio?pital board in the country—as such bodies are being given tho responsibility of fiehting the epidemic-and it concerns them very immediately, because at tile present tune such boards have to frame lh"ir es imates for the year in order that the local authorities may frame th»ir rates. Tho "light of every hospital board in New Zealand is that they have to frame their estimates without knowing what they have to spend (at least approximately)," and ono of the items of the expenditure—perchance o big one—may be epidemic dharges. . The Wellington Hospital Board :s taking no chances. It pronoses to put the gum of .£20,000 on its estimates as a contingency against fne recurrence of the epidemic in this city. So far the estimates generally aire in tho course of consideration, but it is known that. apn;t from the .£20,000 mentioned, there will probably be a demand for_ ilfl.ooo more than last vear from tho City Council, to meet the general increases in exnenditiire, It will be realised, therefore. that the city rates are to veeeive another big jolt upwards, which will not lie gratifying news to ratepayers.