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Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1927, Page 2

I 11 K system of raising hospital levies is not unlikely to crop up at the Hospital Hoard’s C.biiiVreiico. now sitting at t liristcliurch. For a long time past, there has b.eu the contention that the incidence should he changed. That, instead, of levying on the capital valuation of the property in the local body area, wholly, fifty per cent, of the levy should he calculated on the population basis and fifty per tent, on the capital values. This demand comes chiefly from the country districts, so that the demand may he said to he a sectional light of the town versus country conflict which recurs so frequent !,v. The point of the country local bodies is that hospitals where the hulk of the expenditure goes on. are centred in populous towns, and that it is the residential section of the neighbourhood who having the easiest ac-

cess. make the most use of the institu tions. On the other hand the country residents—being more or less icmoti from the hospitals are less likely t< make use ol the institutions except ii the more extreme eases This contention is I lie basis of the demand for fifty tier cent, of the levy being decided by the population figures, and equitably there is a good deal in the contention. The demand is not a new one ttiid has been before tho Government on various occasions, while the

House of Parliament has considered the matter also. The Government’ has not been favourable to tiny change, and when the proposal went lie fore tho House it was lost on division. TTie departmental view is understood to Ih* unfavourable also, so that there -does not ap|»ar much probability of a change being effected. But a debate is sure to arise. Each locality will probably regard the proposal from the manner in which its position would b? affected. That is the selfish aspect and accounts no doubt, for the parliamentary decision due chiefly to the town and suburban members out-voting the genuine country representatives. Some consideration should be given to the use of the institutions to the local population. Jn Westland when hospitals were centred at Boss and Kuniara, there was a good deal of justice in the contention to apply the population basis as a part of tbe adjustment. But with only one institution, tbe figures are not so convincing for tbe country, and there is not the serious hardship there once was, So far as this district

is concern oil. the readjustment proposed is not very material, and little change would result, but it is conceivable in many centres the matter is of great import, and on that account there is sure to be a simmering agitation.