COUNTY ECONOMIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 8

COUNTY ECONOMIES.

FARMERS' MEETING AT KUMEU REDUCTION IN RATES WANTED SERIES OF RESOLUTIONS. Over 100 farmers representing the eleven ridings of the Waitemata County attended a conference held at Kumeu on Saturday afternoon. Mr. J. A. Lambden presided, and in welcoming Mr. G. R. Mason, M.P. for Auckland Suburbs, and Mr. Bishop, chairman of the Waitemata County Council, stated that the meeting would receive much information that Would be of assistance in its discussions on the economie questions contained in the agenda paper.

Mr. Bishop presented a comprehensive eport on, the activities of. tha, council. H the outset he, said that the council ully : appreciated' the difficult financial position of the farming community, and in view of it, a' 10 per cent reduction in salaries had been made, together with the lowering " of" administration costs. The considerable and ever-increasing maintenance costs of the county highways were brought about by its proximity, to Auckland, with', the resultant extra foreign motor traffic, together with the necessity to maintain the roads up to the Highway Board's standard. "Mr. Mason, addressing the meeting on the question of hospital rates, stated that the present method of collection and levies on county funds was not satisfactory and a considerable drain on county ratepayers.. The funds should be charged to the consolidated revenue. In referring .to main highway_s, Mr. Mason said tliat the petrol tax fu7\ had been absorbed by, the Government in other channels, thus depriving the rural ratepayers of a large measure of relief. Considerable discussion centred round the questions of derating farm lands, unenlploymeiit policies, fertiliser costs, wheat duties, and the-proposed Kaipara River Board; Resolutions were unanimously carried urging the County Council to make a substantial reduction in the general rates; reaffirming the principle of derating (the revenue to be derived from the petrol tax); urging the Unemployment Board to direct its efforts to reproductive works that would increase primary production; advocating an investigation with a view to reducing fertiliser costs; strongly urging the Government to restrict the importation of cattle from the United Kingdom; strongly objecting to the Waitem'ata Council's approving the extension of the proposed Kaipara River Board area; and supporting. the. abolition of the wheat duties.