HOSPITAL SUBSIDIES

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1920, Page 4

HOSPITAL SUBSIDIES

IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. 1 WELLINGTON June 4. Under a scheme evolved by the Public Health Department it was proposed ( to fix the minimum subsidy to hospitals . at 10s in the £ bn tlie rates received on the capital value of lauds in res pective hospital-districts. , The rates ! varied. In sonic cases the rate was one-tenth of a penny in the £, while in others it was as high as a penny in the £, and in order to meet the position, so that- poorer districts in respect to land values—would not suffer, a poorer districts—in respect to land values—would not suffer, a proportional scheme was formulated by the department. When the question came before the Hospital Boards’ Conference on Tuesday a number of objections to tlie scheme, I as outlined, were brought forward by delegates, and in order that something tangible might be arrived at, a committee ivas appointed to meet the officials <)£ the department and confer with them on the matter. The result of that conference was submitted to tlie hospital boards’ delegates yesterday in the shape of a recommendation. _ Jt was as follows: —“That it be a recommendatjon to the conference of hospital boards that the principal of. the proportional scheme- proposed by the department be approved, but that the minimum rate of subsidy bo 12s 6d in the £, and that boards in whose districts there are a number of rates from native lands nncollectable, should receive an equivalent grant from the Go- j vernment.” 'There was considerable discussion on the question and an amendment was proposed by Mr Conradi: “That the minimum rate of levy be. 15s in the £.” On being put the amendment was lost and the recommendations of the committee carried by 21 votes to 11. Oh last year’s figures the following rates of subsidy would be payable to the various hospital boardsWnilii 31s 6d., Inangaliua 31s fid, Westland 30s fid, Grey 28s 7d, Buller 26s 7d, Coromandel 25s 6d, Whangarei 25s fid, Bay of Islands 24s 7d, Wellington 23s Hd, Vincent 23s 7d, Otago 23s Id,. Thames 235, Waniototo 22s Id, Pietoii 21s 4d, Wairoa 21s 3d, Auckland 20s 3d, Taurangn. 20s 2d, Kaipara 2(fs, Nelson 19s Bd, Wnirarnpa 39s fid, Haweralßs fid, aTumnrunui 17s 9d, Waiapn 3 7s fid, Stratford 17s fid, Wanganui 17s fid’ Cook 16s lid, South Canterbury 16s Id. Waipawa 16s Id, Wallace and Fiord 16s Waikato 15s Bd, Palmerston North Tfis fid, Bay of Plenty 14s Bd, Pa tea ,12s lOd, Waitaki 12s 6d, Ashburton 12s fid, North Canterbury 20s 2d,'