CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 6

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

DIFFERENT RATING NEEDED TOWNSHIPS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES “Tlie urban population of the Peninsula cannbt go ahead unless it is separated from the rural districts,” said Cr R. G. Habershon, the new member for Broad Bay riding, during a discussion on the question of transferring certain farms from North-east Harbour riding to Highcliff riding. Air Nyhon opened the discussion by saying that, although he did not wish to interfere with the boundaries of any other riding, the time was coming when some such move would bo necessary. If nothing was done, it would amount to a persecution of the farmer. Roads, street lights, and drainage all had to he paid for, and of these, all that the farmer was concerned with were the roads. ”if the council -wishes to pay for everything with farmers’ rates, well and good. I’ll just leave it at that,” he concluded. Cr D, J. S. Robertson pointed out the other side of the matter, that these farmers had the value of their property enhanced. Land that, for farming, was worth only £2O an acre was worth 10 times as much, if it were subdivided for closer settlement, consequent on-the improvement of the adjacent urban area. Othenvise it was a hardship to the farmer, but lie did not feel that ho should take into his riding the revenue that properly belonged to another. Cr Stunner asked what would be the cost to the council of the alteration, Mr Seaton replying that it would perhaps be in the vicinity of £2O. Cr Brookman said that they were opening up the very important question of precedent, and it could not be foretold whore it would finish. In some cases under discussion the only roads the farmer could use were in the Northeast Harbour riding, and the farmer would be getting the assistance from the reading that his neighbours and not he himself, would pay for. Speaking as a farmer in the riding, Cr Habershon said that the only land which would bo affected was that which would never lie built on. He would like to see the. urban ureas go ahead. As long as they were linked to the

farmers, they never would, on account of the rural opposition. The householder wanted many improvements and should get them, but the additional rates did not mean as much to him as to the fanner. He maintained that it Was a good principle that urban and rural populations should Tie separated. Gr Brookman said that a number of townships would have to form boroughs and get away from the council’s jurisdition altogether if that principle were followed. In reply to a contention by Cr Robertson that the alteration of boundaries would bo never-ending as the urban districts progressed, Gr Habershon' pointed out that if the Peninsula did not progress any further than it had in the last 15 years, it would be. quite easy to fix a boundary that would never need to be altered. The urban population could not go ahead unless it was separated from the rural districts. The chairman (Mr Harhrow) said that it seemed to him the trouble would not stop in the North-east Harbour riding. Already it was appearing in his own. It was a fact, however, that the biggest part of the farming community obtained relief from a proportion of the rates. Pie thought that the council should take time and deeply consider the matter. As the mover of the motion, Cr Nylum said that ho was quite prepared to give the matter time, but be was sure it would have to bo considered eventually. Why should tho farmer pay for drainage in the townships? The interests of urban and rural residents conflicted, but some way might be found to have a different rate. On the suggestion of Cr Brookman, it was decided to try to arrange a conference with the Minister of Internal Affairs. In connection with this matter, a strong protest was received from the North-east Harbour Ratepayers’ Association. As the rateable land of these 1 farmers opened into the North-east Harbour riding, they derived from it all benefits of roads, lighting, etc. Any future subdivision of those farm's would bo with the idea of claiming the advantages of the North-East Harbour riding. There was also the question of sotting a precedent. They asked that the council should obstruct the transfer.