“TO PAY OR NOT”

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 69, 14 December 1933, Page 6

“TO PAY OR NOT”

Thames Borough Rates HINT OF DIRECT ACTION By Telegraph.—Press Association. Thames, December 13. The rating problem at Thames was again discussed at a meeting of the Thames Ratepayers’ Relief Committee. A reply was read from fhe Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. J. A. Young, to a recent petition praying for rating relief and suggesting the appointment of an independent Commission to report on the borough’s indebtedness and the question of uniform collection of borough and Harbour Board rates. The Minister referred to the circumstances that led to the agreement for the appointment of a Commissioner, and said he regretted that the Government was unable to interfere with the terms of the agreement and the scope of the Thames Borough Commission Act. The committee unanimously agreed that the rating position called for drastic action, and that it was now a question of “to pay or not to pay,” as every other avenue of relief had been exhausted.

It was decided to call another public meeting of ratepayers for next Tuesday, in order to place the position before them and submit a course of action for approval or amendment. Speakers were emphatic that nothing was to be gained by further approaching the Government or the Commissioner and that direct action was essential to precipitate matters and procure the much-needed relief from the burden of rates that was crippling the town.