HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

North Otago Times, Volume CVII, Issue 17164, 22 March 1927, Page 3

HOSPITAL AFFAIRS

j A Wm.

MILNE.

[To The Editor.] Sir, — I notice from Government returns that a fej(v.imnecessary hospitals have been closed during the year. due no doubt to the fact that they have proved too great a biirden upon the ratepayer for maintenance and, as at Kurow, have not provided any revenue whatever from patients treated last month. I am told that Kurow is sometimes- occupied only by nurses and attendants. Mi^ht I suggest, for the consideration of our Hospital Boarcl and in the interests ofi economy and ratepayers, that any patients now in hospital there, be forthwith transferred to Oamaru and the Kurow Hospital closed. until circumstances prove the necessity for re-opening it. I also notice that there is a difference of opinion amongst members of the Board as . to the incidence of hospital and eharitable and taxation hetween ! town and country ratepayers and i thaf; the secretary contradicted a country member, who was quoting figures to show its unfairness and injustice. The country ratepayers are very mucfi concerned and would like to lcnow from such a liigh authority exactly what proportions they have to pay. I always understood that their proportion of maintenance rate and capital expnditure, was 77 per cent., whilec, Oamaru towni. was limited to 22h per cent. and Hampden township to the remaining one-half per cent. Such an inequality and injustice cries aloud for immediate adjustment hy Members of Parliament, who ought to be stirred up by voters, and forced to face the position when Parliament meets. They refus-ed to face •! it last Parliament. The hricks and : mortar mania appears to be as prev- ; alent as ever, notwithstanding the i Dairy -Control liasco, which will . give i the farm«er plenty to think I about, without further additions to ; hospital and eharitable aid rates, i which are high enough in all coni science already. It is a pity those i rates don't affect the breeches I pocket of some of our more ardent ! reoresentatives. I am, etc..