DERATING FARM LANDS.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20920, 29 July 1933, Page 10

DERATING FARM LANDS.

: . » J MR COATES DEFINES HIS 1 ATTITUDE. s s i I A STATEMENT DENIED. r e ; (t&rsa issocutiov tslsoeiv.) s WELLINGTON. July 28. s In view of a correspondent's state- } ment in the press charging him with s having definitely declared against ? the derating of farm lands at the E recent conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, the ActingPrime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, reiterated to-day his attitude toward the derating question, emphatically denying that he made the statement credited to him. Mr Coates said he had stated that it was impracticable to contemplate total derating, but that rates and fixed charges should be reduced was reasonable. "In considering the question," said Mr Coates, "it becomes so far reaching, particularly when the farming - industry, local bodies, and the j Government all have terrific proba lems to overcome, that in my opinio ion the matter should be reviewed ' with these factors in mind—the user 1 of the road and transport, and how 2 much more he can pay: highways, . land tax, and rates, and how far - economy and efficiency can be maint tained by the amalgamation of many 3 of the local bodies. At no time have 2 I said other than that I believe total s derating to be impracticable, but I have stated that a reduction of fixed charges, including rates, is important ar.d necessary. My views were £ definitely adhered to at the confer- . ence of the New Zealand Counties' ~ Association yesterday, when a ref solution was carried to the effect t that total derating was not asked 3 for by local bodies, but that there I should be an all-round reduction of j fixed charges, including rates." 3 " ' '■--