SOLDIER SETTLERS' RATES.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 94, 21 April 1924, Page 6

SOLDIER SETTLERS' RATES.

, 9 (From Oar Own Correspondent.) TE AWAMUTU, Saturday. The much-discussed subject of soldier settlers' rates occupied a considerable amount of time at the last meeting of the Waipa County Council, when a letter was read from the Bay of Islands County Council suggesting a conference of. county councils to discuss the position in regard to non-payment of soldiers' rates. Cr. Alexander contended that some of the leading settlers in the county were ' more frequently in arrears in payment of rates than the average returned man. The chairman (Mr. Reid) said he did not condemn the average soldier settler, but held that there were some absolute wasters in his riding. lie was convinced the decent soldier settlers would welcome an alteration in the law. When the willing ones heard of defaulters who were in a position to pay trouble arose. It was his intention to issue a blue paper to defaulters, but the point was whether they could get judgment against a returned man. After further discussion tbe council favoured dealing with each case on its merits, and not to go to the lengths suggested by the Bay of Island Council. The chairman was appointed as the council's delegate to the conference.