HOSPITAL LEVY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 April 1938, Page 4

HOSPITAL LEVY

INCREASE IN AUCKLAND. LARGELY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES AND WAGES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, April 2G. Largely as a result of increased prices and the payment of higher wages to a larger stall working fewer hours, an increased rate of levy upon contributing local bodies was fixed by the Auckland Hospital Board at a special meeting. The advance, which amounts to approximately 34J- per cent, is from ,31d in the pound of rateable capital value to .42d. It is estimated to produce £167,871, which represents an addition of £42,652 on the levy of last year. The report of the finance committee stated that to maintain existing services the board required this year an increased sum of £96,285. and it was necessary to increase levies on local authorities from £125,219 to £167,871, and the Government subsidy, which is granted on a sliding scale, from £130,911 to £184.544. The estimates as framed, the report continued, made provision for estimated receipts and payments based on past experience and results, for known commitments in the ensuing year and for a narrow margin to meet the rising cost of commodities. They could not be reduced if existing services were to be maintained, and no change took place in the policy of the board or Government. The figures would be exceeded if existing services or commitments were extended, resulting in a deficiency at the end of the year.

The items making up the increase of £96,285 in the amount required to maintain existing services were summarised as follows: —Extra cost of salaries and wages, £63,060; higher prices, as well as salaries and wages, in respect of provisions, surgery and dispensary, domestic and establishment, and hospital laundry, £29,805; extra services (Wilson Home and North Shore nursing), £86,000; extra capital requirements, £14,900. These made a total of £116,365, but when sundry increases in receipts and decreases in payments were deducted, it was reduced to a net amount of £96,285.