CARE OF SOLDIERS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3274, 11 June 1943, Page 5

CARE OF SOLDIERS

GOVERNMENT CRITICISED HOSPITAL MAINTENANCE OPINION ON HAURAKI PLAINS The Government, policy in connection with the after-care of soldiers was strongly criticised at Wednesday’s meeting of the Hauraki Plains County Council when the opinion was expressed that such care should be a charge on the War Expenses Account and not the responsibility of hospital boards. Future Expenditure Discussion arose when a letter from the Thames County Council was before the council expressing alarm at the increase in the levy made by the Thames Hospital Board on local authorities in the Thames Hospital District. The clerk of the Thames County Council wrote as under: “My council at its last meeting had under consideration the subject of hospital rating and expressed alarm at the growing increase in levies, recently made on the council. In x 934 the levy was £690 12s 0d and in 1942 the amount levied was £1595 16s od.

“In this hospital district a large programme of alterations and additions to the hospital buildings is contemplated at an estimated cost far beyond the resources of the contributing local authorities. “My council is of opinion:— “(1) That the Government should undertake the liability of all capital costs.

“(2) That the bed subsidy of 6s per day should be increased. “(3) That the after-care of soldiers should be a charge on the War Expenses Account, and “(4) That hospital rating based on income, salaries and wages should replace the present unfair incidence of capital value. “My council respectfully suggests that your council gives the incidence of hospital taxation its full consideration in view of the large contemplated capital expenditure insisted

upon by the Minister of Health in this district. My council will be glad to learn the attitude of your council in this matter.’" Levy Paid By Plains The clerk, Mr E. A. Mahoney, explained that 1934 was hardly a fair comparison as that was the middle of the depression and all local bodies were working on a minimum. In 1929-30 the levy was £2623. Mr D. G. McMillan pointed out that the opinion was about that the levy to-day was the highest it had ever been. This was not correct and the levy had been higher. The clerk quoted the amounts paid by the Hauraki Plains for the undermentioned years as follows: —

Members spoke very strongly on the subject of the after-care of soldiers, all agreeing that it was the responsibility of the -Government. Mr J. W. Neate heatedly said that it was the 'best the Government could do and that the after-care of soldiers ! should definitely be a charge on the War Expenses “It Is Scandalous” “It is scandalous that the returned soldier should be thrown on the generosity of the public. It is the respon-

sibility of the Government to look after’ these men who have volunteered in the service of their country,” said Mr Neate.

Others agreed that such a policy was unfair.

Mr A. H. Sutton said that the feeling was spreading that hospital taxation was wrong and local bodies should hammer away to get satisfaction.

Mr Neate urged that the council should refuse to pay the levy until the Government took the proper steps to adjust the whole position. Shown On. Rate Demand

Mr W. H. Cheale suggested that in future the hospital levy should be shown separately on the rate demand. Mr D. G. McMillan said that No. 4 in the Thames County Council’s letter was the most important. If that could become law the others would not matter as all then would be paying equally-and not the farmer paying for the hospitals as it was at present. It is the method of taxation which is causing discontent. It was agreed to support the Thames County Council, agreeing with all the points raised.

OHINEMURI OPINION

LEVY ON SALARY AND WAGES When the above letter was considered, at Wednesday’s meeting of the Ohinemuri County Council the opinion was generally expressed that ail hospital costs should be met by a levy on income, salary and wages. It was agreed to support the Thames County Council’s -e.ter.

1942-43 -- - .... £4610 1941-42 .. .... £4809 1940-41 --- . £2930' . 1939-40 — .. .... £5320< 1938-39 —- ... £3718 1937-38 — .. .... £3439 1936-37 .. .... £2950 1935-36 — .. .... £2355i 1934-35 .. .... £2833 1933-34 — .. .... £2169