COUNTY PROBLEMS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 24, 28 July 1933, Page 3

COUNTY PROBLEMS

THE PAYMENT OF RATES

DEPUTATION TO GOVERNMENT

Careful consideration of proposals made by the New Zealand Counties' Association during its conference was promised by the Acting-Prime Minister (the Et. Hon. J. G. Coates) last evening when replying to a deputation from the conference. It was made plain by the deputation that the association was not making demands, but was merely asking that their representations should receive the attention of the Government.

In replying to the representations made to him, Mr. Coates congratulated Mr. A. E. Jull, M.P., on his re-election as chairman of the association. Mr. Jull had had a long and distinguished career in local body administration, he said, and1 it was quite clear that he retained the confidence of the counties. Mr. Coates said he would discuss the question of hospital and charitable aid levies with the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. J. A. Young). He understood the Tequest of the deputation was that 50 per cent, of those levies should be paid on the capital value and the other 50 per cent, on a population basis. Before he could give an effective reply he would like to know what the general effect of such a proposal would be. Mr. Coates added that the effect might be to place more on the municipalities and closely populated areas. He would also look into the question of deducting from the capital value Native lands not paying rent. ' n The liability for rates on Crown and mortgaged lands, said Mr. Coates, was another difficult problem. His experience had been that county councils were particularly lenient to settlers making an honest effort. If the1 request of the deputation were given effect to, the Crown would become liable for the whole of the lands on which it had lent. No doubt it would be a simple way out, for it would then fall on the Crown to force the rates out of those settlers who were determined not to pay. He realised the problem and the far-reaching effect of settlers not paying their rates. Referring to amalgamation of local bodies, Mr. Coates said he agreed that the conference had discussed the subieet with reason. Many authorities were set up years ago when communication services were not what they were today. He was glad to hear that the conference considered the matter from the widest possible view, and accepted amalgamation where economies could be made without loss of efficiency._ The Government would set up a commission to investigate the question, and quite a number, of other matters might be included in tho order of reference.