THE HOSPITAL LEVY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1920, Page 5

THE HOSPITAL LEVY.

PROTEST BY EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL. THE WEALTHY SHOULD PAY. The vexed question of the New Plymouth Hospital levy was discussed at the meeting of the Eginont County Council yesterday, when notification was received from the Taranaki Hospital and Charitable Aid Boaid that it was proposed to j strike a rate on the contributory bodies of 2s 9d in the £IOO capital value to make up the estimated deficiency, being 1 2s 4 3-10 d for hospital and charitable aid maintenance, and 4 7-10 d for the payment of interest and sinking fund on capital expenditure. The clerk stated that this was an increase of Is 04-5 d on last year. The chairman said that some years ago, when he said that the Eginont County Council would be paying £2OOO per year j in hospital levy, he was "torn to pieces" •by one of the papers. The levy this year, however, amounted to £2300; and this was a very serious matter, as it meant that amount off the roads.

Cr. Green thought that those who u?ed the hospital should plly for it. He was not opposed to paying a reasonable amount, but thought that the fee*, should be increased to those in a position to ray-

Cr. Campbell said that a good deal of the increase was due to increase ot salaries. It was also caused by the expenditure of £SOOO, viz., £3OOO for the Opunake Hospital, and £2OOO for laundry, etc. This £SOOO had been spread over four years, otherwise the rate would have been 3s 4d. The cost of living, too, had. gone up, and the hospital fees had not.

Cr. O'Brien held that this increase of £S)00 was a strong argument in favor of separation.

The chairman said that they were committed to New Plymouth. If they were separated they would still have to pay the cost of the present buildings, and considering the cost of upkeep of a hospital at Opunake, it was questionable if they would be any better off. He agreed that the poor man should not be made to pay, but he would make wealthy people pay full "saloon" fare, and would not insult the working man with a family by. ever sending him a bill.

Cr. O'Brien strongly urged separation. Otherwise the levy would continue to get bigger, and the only remedy was to stop it. Cr. Campbell said there appeared to be too mneh expenditure in connection with the New Plymouth Hospital, and lie was fairly fogged. Every meeting something had to be done at the hospital.

It was resolved that 'the Council write ■to the Hospital Board, protesting against the increased rate, and suggesting that •the Board should practice rigid economy, and also recommending that the fees be increased.

On the motion of Cr. Green and the chairman, it was resolved to write to the Minister, drawing his attention to the increase in the levy, and the chairman and clerk were appointed to draw up reasons.