FARM LANDS

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 33, 8 February 1935, Page 8

FARM LANDS

DERATING QUESTION

EXPENDITURE ON ROADS

The proposals for the derating of farm lands have been shelved in the meantime by the Dominion executive of.the New Zealand Farmex-s' Union. A conference has been held with the Counties Association, and as a result of this the executive decided on Wednesday afternoon to endorse a proposal to seek a £ for £ subsidy from the Government for maintenance and construction work in respect' of secondary highways. . \.

Referring to the conference with the Counties Association, Mr., W. J. Polson, M.P., the president, said that while farmers generally were strongly in favour of derating of farm land on the lines of other countries the committee from the union found to its very considerable ■ astonishment that there was a great deal of hostility by the Counties Association. He did not want to be unjust to the Counties Association. It had advanced its reasons for that hostility. There was, of course, also the hostility,of the motorist who did not want to pay anything more than he was at present. Under such circumstances it was felt no progress was being made. The Counties Association had another plan, a scheme which provided for a very large measure of assistance in reduction of rates. Without abandoning their derating ideas for a moment,1 his anxiety was to secure the maximum relief possible to the farmer immediately. With that idea in mind they joined hands, with the Counties Association in' conference. A very' friendly and amicable discussion took place, and it was believed, that what was agreed to would be.acceptable to the motorists, with the stipulation that the money taken, from motorists' taxation for other purposes should be1 restored to them. * £ FOR £ SUBSIDY. The plan was that derating' proposals should be put on the shelf meantime. The Counties Association estimated that the expenditure on road maintenance other than main highways would be about £900,000,- though possibly it would run into, one million pounds. The Counties Association suggested that a £ for £ subsidy on that expenditure should be sought, and that it be agreed to forgo the Government subsidy to local bodies. They would then receive for, the by-roads from the Government, instead: of an occasional 12 \ per cent, rebate in very ba dtimes, £450,000 towards road maintenance from petrol taxation^ It would be possible to give a very substantial reduction in rates, amounting, he thought, to a great deal more than 12J per cent, on road maintenance rates, i. He recommended that they should agree with the Counties Association in the matter, and that the parties concerned should seek immediately, to impress upon the Government the necessity of taking action on the lines suggested at once. • Mr. J. D. Revie moved that the meeting endorse the findings- of the committee in consultation with the Counties Association. If they received a £ for £ subsidy on secondary roads it would go a long way towards derating. ' '"■•'■'■:. ' . ■' : : " • •'. : Mr. W. Horrobin said that local bodies, which were unable to do so now, would be able to go ahead with road sealing construction work, and thus save expenditure in the future.; Mr. Revie's resolution was adopted. \. •'.- ■.-•.vj;;";Ty?Q remits. ■'■.." .-'■'■/.' '.'.' The .twb'rfpllowing .remits dealing with derating were also adopted:—(l) "That theI:' Farmers' Union take; steps to ensure, that local body candidates are pledged to'support the principle of derating, and that these questions be submitted to. candidates when seeking the support of farmers." (North Taranaki.) (2) "That this executive strongly supports the Government in its proposal to reduce the rural rates by 12J per cent/and considers this the first step in complete derating of farm lands." (Mid-Canterbury.) .