Local Bodies Decide for United Action

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 362, 24 May 1928, Page 16

Local Bodies Decide for United Action

HOSPITAL LEVY PROTEST CONFERENCE ON JUNE 13 Sixteen local bodies have so far replied to the One Tree Hill Road Board's proposal to hold a conference concerning the Auckland Hospital Board levy, and all have agreed to the suggestion. rrtHIS fact was reported to a meeting of the One Tree Hill Road Board last evening, when it decided to convene a conference on Wednesday, June 13. Messrs. Dobbie and Slyfield were appointed as the board’s delegates.. Since it took the initiative in communicating with other local bodies interested, the One Tree Hill Board’s action has been widely supported, and protests against the hospital levy have been numerous, local bodies being unanimous that a united front should be made in opposition to what they consider are exorbitant demands. About 40 or 50 delegates will probably attend the conference. Included in the local bodies which have signified their intention of being represented are Waiuku, Papatoetoe, Mount Albert, Onehunga, Northcote, Howick, Glen Eden, Rodney and Tuakau. NEWMARKET’S DELEGATES The Newmarket Borough Council last evening also decided to be represented at the forthcoming conference, and appointed the Mayor, Mr. S. Donaldson, and Cr. S. E. Smerdon, as delegates. Newmarket’s assessment this year is £1,824 10s, or approximately 10s for each resident. “IN RIGHT DIRECTION” BIRKENHEAD WILL ATTEND “A step in the right direction” was the comment of the Mayor, Mr. E. G. Skeates, at the council meeting last evening when a letter was read from the One Tree Hill Road Board suggesting that a conference of all the local bodies objecting to the hospital levy be held at an early date. The letter said that the board had raised the two following points with the Hospital Board: (1) That the provision of a sinking fund of 10 per cent, for buildings of a permanent nature is considered excessive; (2) that the payment of relief from hospital funds should be limited to, say, £20,000 or £25,000 per annum, any additional money required to be a charge on the Consolidated Fund. The council agreed to attend the conference.