BITTER COMPLAINTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 April 1943, Page 4

BITTER COMPLAINTS

ABOUT RISING HOSPITAL COSTS

MADE BY LOCAL BODIES.

LETTERS TO WAIRARAPA BOARD.

Complaints of an ever-increasing hospital levy were made by local bodies in the district in reply to the Wairarapa Hospital Board’s circular letter to them asking approval of a loan of £45,000 to'carry out earthquake repair work at Greytown and Masterton hospitals. The Akitio County Council said that although it was appalled at the increase in hospital costs it 'did not wish to raise an objection. The Carterton Borough Council objected to the loan proposal. The council stated that the hospital rate had almost trebled and had become a burden on local bodies. All hospital costs should be borne by the State, the council’s letter added.

The Pahiatua Borough Council lodged an objection on similar lines. The Masterton, Wairarapa South and Mauriceville County councils approved the loan proposal. “The Wairarapa is not the only district that is complaining,” observed Mr A. Forsberg. Mr H. H. Mawley (chairman) said that all districts were complaining of the ever-increasing costs levied on the same people all the time. Mr Mawley added that he was appalled at the increased costs. In Wellington, where the capital value was not three times greater than that of the Wairarapa Hospital district, the levy was seven times greater. It was a burden that was pressing heavily on the Wellington district counties.