HEAVY BURDEN

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20492, 7 May 1938, Page 27 (Supplement)

HEAVY BURDEN

THE HOSPITAL LEVY PROTEBT FROM WHANOARKI (By Telegraph.—press Association) WHANGAREI, Friday. The Whangarel County Council this year faces a hospital maintenance levy totalling one third of the rates, and the chairman (Mr J. A. S. Mackay), today made a strong protest. He contended the position was so grave as to warrant an overhaul of the Incidence of hospital taxation. Under the proposed Government scheme the ratepayers would be called on to contribute through the levy 5 per cent on their Income through the Consolidated Fund in the same proportion as other members of the community, and, in addition, would be compelled to contribute the whole of the balance, roughly five shillings dally per patient. In the form of land rates, the last-named contribution not being shared by other members of the community. There was no oountry In the world he said, where the man on the land was compelled to pay such a heavy proportion of the cost of hospital treatment for men and women of means and leisure who were not ratepayers. He believed the burden of costs would rapidly Increase when hospital treatment was free, and If the present system of finance were adopted the present rate will be materially Increased. The council decided to take the matter up with the Counties Association*