VOTE FOR TENANTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22363, 23 June 1947, Page 2

VOTE FOR TENANTS

RATING PROBLEMS OUTER KAITI RULING ONE FOR EVERY HOME The right of voting on matters affecting the level of rates in the suburb was a subject of fairly spirited' debate at the meeting of the outer Kaiti residents held on Saturday evening to discuss the formation of an improvement association for that area. The draft rules submitted for consideration included a provision that matters likely to have an etfect upon rating costs should be voted on only by ratepayer members of the new association. This proposal was objected to strongly by some of those present, on the ground that residents in rented houses were 'paying the rates through their rents, and that they could be prevented from dealing with matters of considerable importance to them if they were deprived of votes in any degree. It was recalled by one speaker on behalf of the tenant residents that many years ago the residents of outer Kaiti had carried a poll to provide for a water and sewerage loan, and that the project had not been proceeded with owing to the influence of ratepayers of the area who lived in other parts of Gisborne. “We carried the poll here, but before the Gisborne Borough Council could do anything these gentlemen who own property in outer Kaiti but who chose to live in town where they have all the amenities got busy,” said this speaker. “We had a majority for us on the council at first, but they got one man to change his vote and that lost us the chance of getting the services.” Responsibility for Rates On behalf of the ratepayers present and prepared to enrol as members of the new association it was argued that tenants had no responsibility for rates, and that they could “pack up and go elsewhere any time they liked, leaving the landlord to can’y the higher rates they had voted for.’ 1 This argument was supported by a majority of those present; but an amendment was offered restricting the right of renters to vote on rate matters to one representative of each rented household. This amendment obviated some of the objections of the ratepayers present, and a small swing of votes resulted in its adoption. One outer Kaiti resident posed a question for the chairman, Mr. M. Campbell, when he asked for a ruling as to his right to vote on all matters. He explained that his wife was the legal owner of their home, but claimed that he was the head of the household and therefore should exercise the household vote in ratepayer matters. “1 bring home the money. Haven't I got the right to be head of the house?” he added, amidst laughter. The chairman suggested that that was a matter the questioner should settle with his wife, so far as general application of authority was concerned. Under the rule adopted, however, the questioner could not vote on rate matters, as he was neither a ratepayer or a tenant in a rented house. The ruling was received with hilarious- applause.