Rates Bill Introduced In Parliament

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32050, 26 July 1969, Page 46

Rates Bill Introduced In Parliament

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July. 25. A bill enabling county councils to peg or even lower their general rates and adjust their separate rates in defined areas for specific works was introduced in Parliament today by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath).

The eight-clause measure is ; called the Counties Amend- 1 meat Bill. ! At present a county coun- . cil can make general separate i rates over any areas it defines for the purpose of under- ’ taking public works, buying < land or engaging in some ac- 1 tivity for the benefit of the 1 particular area. 1 There is a limit, on sepa- i rate rates of 0.3125 c in the 1 dollar on capital • value, and in -addition a county council I is empowered to make a ; general. rate on which the limit is 1.25 c in the dollar. 1 The bill raised the maxi- i mifm which can be levied as s

general separate rates to a figure which, with the ordinary general rate actually levied, may not exceed the aggregate of the maximum levies for both types of rates. The bill also includes a provision enabling a county council to allow doctors’ surgeries to be erected on any land it owns or leases or to make provision for surgeries in buildings owned by the county. The purpose of this is to attract medical services to rural areas. The bill was given a first and second reading and referred to the Local Bills Committee for consideration.