INCREASED RATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 142, 18 June 1935, Page 9

INCREASED RATE.

RUAWAI RIDING'S PROTEST

DEPUTATION TO COUNTY. (By -Telcgrnpli. —Own Correspondent.) dArGAVILLE, Monday. At the May meeting of the Otamateii County Council members carried a resolution that the rate* in the Ruawui rising should be raised, from IJcl to lgilj and "this wns done despite a vigorous protest from the riding member, Mr. VV. A. Preston, who stated ,that riding ratepayers could not pay the additional halfpenny. It was pointed out by the county clerk that the Ruawai ruling was showing a deficit, which was being carried by the utilisation of county reserves.

Mr. Preston called a meeting at Ruawai to protest agaiiist the increased rates. It was well attended, and the ratepayers were almost unanimous in condemning the .proposal. After a ltyi,!? discussion it was decided to draw up and circulate a petition protesting against" anv increase. A deputation consisting of' Messrs. A, Vallely, P. MacG. Stewart. VV. A. Craven, and J. Battetisby Will present the petition to the Otamatea Countv Council at its next meeting. Ratepavers were of the opinion that if this proved of no avail some drastic form of protest would be necessary. During the discussion the levying of a hospital rate throughout Otamatea County was- criticised severely by Mr. Preston. He said RuawaL had contributed £428. The rate was unjust, and the system liacU become Obsolete long ago. Mr. W. O. Thompson, councillor for Tokfitoka riding, remarked that the levy for the whole county Was £1700, bttt until some plan was formulated to relieve the county of it, it had to be paid.

"Something similar to the unemployment- levy would be fair to everyone,' said Mr. Preston.