Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, APRIL 26th, 1918. CHARITABLE AID LEVY.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star FRIDAY, APRIL 26th, 1918. CHARITABLE AID LEVY.

Tjte report of the Chairman of the Charitable- Aid Board, read at Tuesday's meeting when dealing with the levy question—a matter of the greatest importance to the ratepayers—does not appear to put the position as fairly as circumstances seem to suggest. This is probably not intentional on the Chairman's part) hut rather due to the fact that- he is new to the position, and has not grasped yet what, are undoubtedly the intricacies of the question. I'lie. Chairman opened his statement with

the assertion that the overdraft: had been reduced bv one. half, but this is not soj as was indicated by figures yesterday. The deficit, in March, 1917,

was £1950, and tin’s year it is £llOB. Hut it would have been no greatachievement- if the overdraft- had been reduced bv one half, in fact, totnllv

wiped out altogether. That it lias notbeen extinguished altogether is the fault of the Board, for it levied sufficient to discharge the deficit of £1,950, but made a reduction of £B-12 only. Again, this year the local bodies are being levied oil to extinguish the overdraft, and it- will be interesting to see

whether this desirable result will come , to pass. The Board has started off

before with these good intentions. Even now, no sooner is the levy estimatod than the Board sets nliont increasing salaries by hundreds per year! And the whole staff is treated lo an increased payments. This must- add lo the cost of management, and Heroines a permanent charge Upon the ratepayers la One portion of the report ille Chairman. disingenuously remarks that the sustained charge on the local bodies is “owing to the fact of the decrease in our nopulation.” If lie had remarked 1 that it was because the “Hutch were in possession of Holland " it would be as revelont to the position The Chairman, to pursue his inconsistencies a little i'u'rt her, remarks on “the considerable saving ” resulting from the closing of ihe Kuniara and Ross Hospitals, hut the local bodies will fail to sec the j substance of this in the light of the , Chairman's further remark that “ little or no reduction can be made lor the venr on the contributions of the local bodies.” As to the rough and reauy methods by which the levy was arrived at. the Treasurer’s statement 1 published in connection wUI I the proceedings seems to throw some light, or at all events suggests some required explanation not apparent On the shrutaco. The Chairman's statement discloses the overdraft at March 31st as £l]oi. 'I lie Treasurer's report twenty-three days Inter, gives it at £232. Not only is there this very suubstnntial reduction, but the Treasurer states there is outstanding .revenue to the amount of £623 due—which, paid in, would place tile Board £4OO to credit. Yet with this position, the Hoard levied for £llOB of a deficit! These figures should be explained if the proposed levy is ip be tamely accepted by Ihe ratepayers'. It .is manifest that the £l-174 revenue which the Treasurer shows as receipts, and which reduced, doubtless, the bank overdraft, was not new revenue. The point requiring, explanation is, if it wore revenue under the former levy, i what amount of credit, has been, given for it as against this year’s charges? Otir complaint against the Board has broil always that the estimates of expenditure have not been examined with any regard'' for detail. Too much is taken for granted. In the same way the other side of tile cash book is overlooked the income from outside sources is not fostered , sufficiently. There is much room for improvement in the financial position of the Board, but this can be. brought about only with a careful study of the position, and a close investigation of the Board’s resources.