CRIPPLED BY RATES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 142, 13 December 1933, Page 10

CRIPPLED BY RATES

THAMES BOROUGH

TALK OF DIRECT ACTION

(By Telegraph.—Press Associationo THAMES, This Day. The rating problem at Thames was again discussed at a meeting of the Thames Ratepayers' Relief Committee. A reply was read from tho Minister of Internal Affairs (tho Hon. J. A. Young) to a recent petition praying for rating relief and suggesting tho appointment of an independent Commission to report on the borough's indebtedness and the question of uniform collection of borough and Harbour Board rates. Tho 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 muchneeded relief from the' burden of rates that was crippling the town.