RATES PENALTY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 62, 15 March 1933, Page 10

RATES PENALTY

"A LUDICROUS CONCESSION"

NO REAL INDUCEMENT

Speaking to a "Post" reporter today regarding the decision of the City Council to-reduce the penalty on overdue rates from 10 per cent, to 7$ per pent, if payment is made by March 27, the president of the/ Ratepayers' Association said that his association held very definite views on the question of the imposition of a penalty for nonpayment of rates..

"It is imperative," he said, "that those who can pay by the due date, and neglect to do so, should be penalised. The city must have its finance coming in' according to schedule. On the- other hand, there are hundreds of ratepayers who are really hard pressed to make- ends meet in their ordinary 'domestic affairs, and naturally payment of rates, to their minds, is a matter that must wait until clothing,, food, and.household commitments have been met. ~.,..,. . . .

"This group of people wjil ultimately pay, and should be encouraged to do so by an. early date. The lure of 2J per cent, for fourteen~.days' grace is ludicrous; 5 per cent, might encourage them to economise elsewhere and pay their debt to the city; but in any case, the matter should be settled, one way or the other. Everyone who has not paid should be asked to show cause why before the end of the council year, March 31, and those who can find the money should be granted a rebate of the penalty down to 5 per cent. Those who pay before June 30 should be charged,only 7J per cent., and.all later than June 10 per cent.

'' The people who arc so unfortunate as to beJ unable to pay except by instalments or other deferments will come under the group that is now covered by law, i.e., they must pay the penalty unless their position is such that the council -waives the penalty under the hardship clause.

"In any v case, every consideration should be given to property owners," he added.- "The position with them is so acute that rents will not cover interest, much less rates and maintenance. Bents are in many cases having to, be collected daily, so difficult is the position with many tenants."