DERATING OF FARM LANDS

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 12 August 1931, Page 6

DERATING OF FARM LANDS

EGAIONT COUNTY DISCUSSION. OPINIONS DIVIDED. After a discussion on the question of the derating of farm lands the monthly meeting of the Egmont County Council yesterday rejected by five votes to four a motion seeking support to the proposal. Or J. S. Tosland, speaking in support of the motion, said tlxe charges on the land were too heavy at present and people in other walks of life were getting relief. If derating came in the latter would have to pay more and the heavy burden should be put on the, users of the roads. Or E. A. Collins said the scheme appeared a step in the right direction. It was a new thing, and if it would lighten the load of rates it should lie supported. The chairman (C'r W. C. Green) said the cry for derating came mostly from the people in the back areas where they would never have good roads. He asked how they were going to make the roads if there was no rate. If benzine or tyres were taxed heavily they would be “killing the goose that lays the golden egg,” for they might need a tax of a shilling per gallon on benzine and a similar proportion on yyres. In isucli an event people would be walking instead of driving, and less benzine woidd be used. Derating would create a tremendous liability and would be an attempt- “to put it all on the other fellow.”

Cr J. F. Shepherd questioned whether derating would result in getting out of the rate altogether. The chairman said he would prefer that the amount of tax collected in any area should be handed back, less cost of collection.

Cr A. A. Lilley remarked that in England the position was very different, because the farming community there was only a fraction of what it was here.

Cr G. Gibson: In England the basis of the proposal is the taxing of manufactured goods, the contention being that the produce of the land was unjustly taxed in comparison. The chairman was of the opinion tliat if the tax had been devoted more to road construction in the back areas it would have been more beneficial all round. Farmers should not be taxed on the primary products of the land. Cr Tosland: If benzine were taxed more heavily it would relieve the roads and the whole country could be more economically worked.

He would support the construction of back roads, continued Cr Tosland. If ever expenditure were justified it was work of that nature. Tlie Egmont County must have received a very substantial amount during the past few years since the institution of the Highwavs Board.

In reply to the chairman, Cr Tosland said the country would be better if the cities were cut in half. He was convinced that the time had come when farmers should obtain relief, considering the present prices of produce.

Cr J. Young asked what tile ultimate effect would be, and said he was convinced all the taxes had to come out- of the land in some way or other. Cr Lilley said. that a benzine tax would hit immediately the farmer who had to travel several miles to ge.t to his factory.

Cr Collins said the suggestion was only an effort to get relief, and everyone was out to get some method of securing this. Cr Tosland said that he agreed more would have to be paid to get produce to the ports of shipment, but there would as an offset be a huge saving by putting the cost of roads on the users thereof.

The resolution on being put to the meeting was lost by four votes to five. Cr Tosland moved and the chairman seconded: “That this council supports any legislation or change which will relieve tlie farming community from further charges upon the land.” Tlie motion was adopted unanimously.