LOCAL BODY PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 September 1939, Page 4

LOCAL BODY PROBLEMS

HOSPITAL RATING AND OTHER ISSUES. BOROUGHS & COUNTIES CONFER. The reply of the Minister of Health (the Hon. P. Fraser) that the Government did not intend to promote legislation for the purpose of altering the existing system of hospital rating was considered by a joint conference of representatives of the Municipal Association and Counties’ Association, held in Wellington this week, as entirely unsatisfactory. Both bodies agreed that the whole of the hospital expenditure should fall upon incomes, salaries and wages and not upon the possession of property. It was decided that a combined protest be sent to the Minister, coupled with a request asking him, if at some opportune time, he would receive a deputation from both bodies. It was also agreed to make joint representations to the Minister of Finance (the Hon. W. Nash) in connection with the Crown’s liability for rating. The two bodies discussed the provisions of the Transport Amendment Bill insofar as it concerned drivers’ licences, control of traffic, taxi drivers and town carriers. It was agreed that so far as these matters were concerned, the Bill should not be proceeded with at the present juncture and in placing this view before the Minister, the two associations asked him to give the two bodies an opportunity to discuss these matters further at an appropriate time.