WAIRAU RIVER

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 September 1923, Page 3

WAIRAU RIVER

A RATING DISPUTE.

(Per Press Association.)

BLENHEIM., September 20. Some time ago tne j liver Boards controlling the A\ airau watershed amalgamated, subsequently taking in an area of higher country never before included. Tne Board imposed a fiat rate, ii.fcltiding the new area, which objected to pay, because the Board failed to classify according to statute law. The Board were advised that the rate was illegally struck, and that they must classify, which they proceeded to do. The new area contended that the classification was illusory and unjust, in that the higher situated properties rated as No. 1 should be a No. 3, an.d also that the new area was rated without representation on the Board. The Government recently carried through a clause in the 1> inance Act validating Hie rate illegally struck last year, including the new area, in spite of the represent at i ions of the objectors that they are rated for a period when they were not in the area of the Board, and while still without representation, quoting the analogy “f the Boston 'lea Party, which resulted in the War of Independence-—retrospective rating and rating without representation. The objectors propose to carry their grievance to Parliament, on the ground that the Government’s action is subversion of a fundmental democratic principle.