UNPAID RATES.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20498, 17 March 1932, Page 13

UNPAID RATES.

TO THE EDITOB OF THK PBEBS. Sir, —In your report of the discussion by the City Council on the payment of rates and penalty for late payment, it is stated "that under the law as it now stands, the Council has no alternative to imposing the penalty." This I think is not quite correct. The law relating to the imposition of the penalty is optional on the part of the local authority, and not mandatory. Councillor Andrews is reported as saying there was no chance of granting a rebate, much as such a course might be desirable. Statutory power has been m force for several years, by which a local authority can grant a rebate not exceeding 5 per cent if payment is made witlnn 30 days of demand When the penalty is imposed by resolution it becomes automatically ' a part of the rate and is recoverable as such, but a ratepayer may be granted remission of all rates on the grounds of poverty upon application being made. Ido not think there'is any law imposing 011 the local authority that it the rates- but it has the power to sue for same if it so decides. If it is held that the payment of uie penalty is a hardship at the present time, the amount of rates due could be accepted without the penalty, and if no proceedings were taken for recovery, the amount unpaid would heroine after a period ot three vears, and then written off. No ronld Of course be passed to S5 |U £. but »b. t r cw.ll Kates can also he paid, and accepted Kates cd , j t should assist «bo fitd a difficnitv - ,h. P»J o 7^''n"ortL S ™icA e e rateperiod or - ce( j to i s probably for the 'ocal a source npnod vvas reautboritj. and montllSf j t might • iu- assist in financing the materialb . s h ou ld also be year s obi rates are payable "S ml™ i '— l »5'? r " b ' cl ! for. but tlm period soo.ns too short. I)p[ . tion o f. ra tes This m * ttc sure i v capable of conand p e n*ilty s 1 ent R tntutcs. and trol under parliament should it seems absurd thaw slnt i o n when be caHed on to n common sen-e _Vniirs etc., tompoi;arv crisi* KATEI'AYEK. March loth. IJ3*.

EMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYED. TO THE EDITOB OT THE PEKB4. Sir, —I wish to congratulate Cr. Beanland on the stand he has taken on the subject of Christchurch City Council employees taking other work outside working hours. If the principle he stands lor were followed # out in all spheres of activity, there would be a great deal more) work for the unemployed. In times such as the present, it is sheer greed for anyone m permanent employment to augment his salary or wages by taking work others who are just as capable as he is would be thankful to get. A great deal ol combing out' could be done, both m local bodies and in private employe

ment that would result in reduced unemployment, and consequent saving to the country.—Yours, etc., LIVE £N*D LET LIVE. March 16th, 1932.